SpaceX launch: Elon Musk's space internet satellites finally head to space after repeated 'scrubs'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SpaceX has finally launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying more of its Starlink space internet satellites, after repeated failures.
The various problems – which have also afflicted the United Launch Alliance, SpaceX’s main competitor – led enthusiasts to christen the month “Scrubtoberfest”.
But on Tuesday morning local time, SpaceX finally successfully achieved liftoff.
As with other launches, the first stage then floated back down to Earth to land on SpaceX’s droneship, with the aim of re-using the equipment in future launches.
The rocket was carrying 60 Starlink satellites, which will join a constellation of hundreds of others in orbit around the Earth. SpaceX boss Elon Musk has said that there will eventually be as many as 42,000 of them floating over the planet, providing internet to people on the ground.
Recent launches have been hit by a range of problems, with two being halted last week just seconds before they were due to take off.
Mr Musk had indicated that he would visit the launchpad in the wake of yet another of the “scrubs", or pulled launches, on Saturday.
“We’re doing a broad review of launch site, propulsion, structures, avionics, range & regulatory constraints this weekend,” he tweeted. "I will also be at the Cape next week to review hardware in person."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments