On Tuesday, October 6 at 11:29 UTC, SpaceX launched a batch of Starlink satellites from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This was a dedicated mission so another sixty satellites were added to the mega constellation, bringing the total number of version 1.0 satellites launched to 713 of a planned 1440 satellites.

Even with just shy of half of the satellites in the constellation, SpaceX was able to provide proof-of-concept. After launch, SpaceX reported that “first responders [in Washington state] have been using the service for their purposes and to help bring the residents of Malden internet service while they rebuild their community. Malden is located about 35 miles south of Spokane, Washington, which falls within the northern latitudes our satellites currently service. The way emergency responders deployed Starlink in this context is representative of how Starlink works best—in remote or rural areas where internet connectivity is unavailable.”

For those of you keeping score at home, this was the third flight of the first stage (B1058). SpaceX reported that one of the “fairing halves supported two previous Starlink launches.” Both halves were recovered, with Ms. Tree making a successful catch.

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