SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Starlink satellites from Vandenberg in California

SpaceX launched 29 new Starlink satellites on Dec. 7 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 12:58 a.m. EST and reached low Earth orbit about nine minutes later, with the satellites deployed roughly an hour after launch.

The rocket’s first stage, B1088, completed its 12th flight and landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific.

This launch brings the Starlink constellation to over 9,100 operational satellites, providing internet to underserved areas and supporting in-flight Wi-Fi and mobile connections, Space.com has reported.

It marked SpaceX’s 115th Starlink launch and 157th Falcon 9 flight of the year.