SpaceX launches Starlink satellites for direct communication from California after delay

SpaceX launched 20 more Starlink satellites tonight (July 11), including 13 with direct-to-cell capabilities.

The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Starlink spacecraft lifted off tonight from Vandenberg Space Base in California at 10:35 p.m. EST (7:35 p.m. local California time; 0235 GMT on July 12). That was a day later than originally planned; SpaceX did not provide a reason. The blunder.

The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket returned to Earth as planned, landing on the ground about eight minutes after launch aboard SpaceX's Of Course I Still Love You drone ship, which was stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

This was the 19th launch and landing of this particular booster rocket, according to SpaceX Mission DescriptionThe record for a Falcon 9 first stage is 22 flights, which SpaceX set late last month.