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SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Space Coast despite odds

Falcon 9 rocket successfully lifted off at 10 p.m.

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches with a batch of Starlink satellites on board. (Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket on Friday night as part of its latest Starlink mission.

The company announced that its next batch of Starlink satellites would liftoff at 10 p.m. Friday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Florida’s Space Coast.

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While the launch was set for 6:49 p.m. on Friday, the company later announced that it would be delayed. The launch was initially scheduled for Thursday night but was pushed off, possibly due to weather concerns.

The 45th Weather Squadron’s forecast pointed to a 40% chance for “go” on Friday evening. According to the forecast, weather interference was a possibility, though the rocket went up despite the relatively low odds.

This launch marks the 10th flight for the first-stage booster, which was previously used to launch CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18, SES-19 and five other Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, the booster will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

[LAUNCH SCHEDULE: When is next rocket launch from Florida?]

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