Watch SpaceX launching 24 Starlink satellites into orbit from February 25 mission

Here you can watch SpaceX launching the Falcon 9 rocket vehicle to send 24 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from the February 25, 2024 mission.

The liftoff took place at 5:06 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch earlier scrubbed from February 24 due to unspecified reasons.

SpaceX loaded the propellant and conducted all pre-flight checks as the weather hinted for a go.

Falcon 9 is a two-stage reusable rocket that is 70 meters tall and able to carry a 22,800 kg payload to orbit. The first stage consists of 9 Merlin engines which use rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen. These engines combined generate 1.7 million pounds of thrust.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida (Credit: SpaceX)

Landing and Deployment

SpaceX called for MECO at 2:30 minutes of the mission followed by MVEC ignition within the next 20 seconds. After an entry burn, the first stage deployed its landing legs and landed on the droneship at 8:26 minutes.

After an hour, SpaceX confirmed the deployment of these 24 Starlink satellites with Falcon 9’s second stage still having an additional deorbit burn remaining.

Below you can check the entire 20 minutes of livestream of this mission.

Watch Falcon 9 launch 24 @Starlink satellites to orbit https://t.co/ONKhMsN1eh

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 25, 2024

Increased Performance:

The space rocket company said on social media site X that Falcon 9 now has “performance increases” allowing the company to send an additional Starlink satellite. There are no details available about the changes made to the launch vehicle whether it’s related to the engines or fairings.