SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites from California

SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit early Sunday morning (Nov. 24), Report informs via Space.Com.

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 20 Starlink spacecraft — 13 of which are capable of beaming service directly to smartphones — lifted off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday at 12:25 a.m. EST (05:25 GMT; 9:25 p.m. on Nov. 23 local California time).

The Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth about eight minutes after liftoff as planned, touching down on the SpaceX droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.

It was the 15th launch and landing for this particular booster, according to a SpaceX mission description. Twelve of those flights have been Starlink missions.

It was the 15th launch and landing for this particular booster, according to a SpaceX mission description. Twelve of those flights have been Starlink missions.

Sunday's launch was the 115th Falcon 9 flight of the year. Nearly 70% of those liftoffs have been devoted to building out Starlink, the largest satellite constellation ever assembled.

The megaconstellation currently consists of more than 6,600 active satellites, and, as Sunday's mission shows, it's growing all the time.