SpaceX launches 40 OneWeb internet satellites after Russian launches canceled
CBSN
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket boosted 40 OneWeb broadband relay satellites into orbit Thursday, helping the London-based company expand its fleet in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, western sanctions and Russia's subsequent cancellation of previously planned Soyuz launches.
Roaring to life at 5:27 p.m. EST, the Falcon 9 streaked away to the south from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, boosting the OneWeb satellites into an initial polar orbit. The 325-pound relay stations were deployed in three batches starting about one hour after liftoff.
The Falcon 9's first stage, meanwhile, completed its fourth flight with a double sonic boom and a picture-perfect return to landing on a concrete pad at the nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It was the company's 55th launch so far this year, its 188th Falcon 9 flight overall, and its 154th successful booster recovery.
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