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SpaceX successfully launched its 100th dedicated Starlink mission, sending 21 Starlink satellites into orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellites lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This brings the total number of Starlink satellites in low-earth orbit to nearly 5,000.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX. It provides global internet coverage to areas where traditional internet infrastructure is not available or unreliable.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, August 17, the launch was delayed by four days due to the impact of Hurricane Hilary on recovery operations in the Pacific. The hurricane was the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years. SpaceX announced the delay on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that the next launch opportunity would be no earlier than Monday, August 21.

The Falcon 9 first stage booster used for this mission has made 15 flights and successfully landed on SpaceX’s drone ship, “Of Course I Still Love You,” 8 1/2 minutes after the launch. SpaceX shared a video of the launch on X.

SpaceX is now targeting Friday, August 25, for its next astronaut mission. The mission, called Crew-7, will see four crew members travel to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule. The launch will take place from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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