Science

SpaceX Soars: New Falcon 9 Rocket Launches 23 Starlink Satellites After Last-Minute Abort!

2025-05-21

Author: Emma

In an exhilarating display of innovation and precision, SpaceX's brand-new Falcon 9 rocket has officially taken to the skies!

The launch occurred on Tuesday, May 20, at 11:19 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, sending 23 Starlink broadband satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). Originally scheduled for May 19, the mission encountered a last-minute snag, prompting an abort just moments before liftoff. SpaceX has yet to clarify the reasons behind that delay.

What makes this launch even more exciting? It marked the maiden flight for this particular Falcon 9's first stage. This milestone is rare in the SpaceX world, where rocket reuse has become the norm.

Approximately eight minutes post-launch, triumph met technology as the booster successfully landed on the SpaceX drone ship "Just Read the Instructions," located in the Atlantic—a spectacular first for this rocket!

Meanwhile, the upper stage of the Falcon 9 continued its mission, deploying the 23 Starlink satellites into their designated orbits right on schedule, roughly 65 minutes after takeoff.

This launch marks a significant milestone—not only is it the 60th Falcon 9 flight of 2025, but it also represents the 43rd Starlink mission undertaken this year alone. With each launch, SpaceX continues to revolutionize satellite internet connectivity and expand its constellation in the skies.