SpaceX launched two communication satellites, O3b mPOWER 7 and 8, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on December 17, 2024, at 5:26 p.m. EDT.

The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage successfully landed on the droneship “Just Read the Instructions” 8.5 minutes after liftoff, marking the booster’s first launch and landing.

The two satellites were deployed into medium Earth orbit, approximately 5,000 miles above Earth.

The O3b mPOWER constellation, operated by SES, is expanding to a total of 11 satellites, all launched on Falcon 9 rockets, Space.com has reported.

This was SpaceX’s second launch of the day, following the NROL-149 mission earlier from California.

Written by B.C. Begley