SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-99 Mission From Kennedy Space Center

On a Wednesday morning, a SpaceX rocket pierced the sky, embarking on the Starlink 6-99 mission. The launch occurred at 8:42 a. m. on December 17, from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. As reported by The Indianapolis Star, this mission followed a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket that had successfully delivered a batch of Amazon’s Leo internet satellites, formerly known as Project Kuiper, to orbit.

The trajectory of the SpaceX rocket was southeast, potentially providing a spectacular morning display for those south of the Cape. Notably, this launch would not produce a sonic boom in Brevard, as the booster was targeted to land on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. According to Brooke Edwards, a Space Reporter for Florida Today, the Falcon 9 first-stage booster successfully landed aboard the drone ship, marking its sixth mission.

The event was ___-streamed on X, formerly Twitter, allowing enthusiasts to witness the launch and countdown. The Starlink 6-99 mission is part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to expand its satellite internet constellation. With the booster landing back on the drone ship, SpaceX demonstrated its capabilities in reusable rocket technology.