The milestone—this was the fourth launch and recovery of this particular Space X’s Falcon booster.
Space X Starlink engineer Lauren Lyons explained during the launch and recovery operation, "The Falcon has landed for the fourth time. These boosters are designed to be used 10 times.” After the launch, the booster landed on Space X’s floating landing platform in the Atlantic Ocean. This booster will be serviced and made ready for a fifth flight. This was Space X’s 45th success recovery of a booster.
Launched on Veterans Day, the launch was dedicated to military veterans.
The payload of the rocket was a batch of 60 Starlink communications satellites. The “constellation” of satellites is intended to “provide affordable internet coverage to the world.”
Not everyone is as positive about the satellites. In low earth orbit, at times the satellites are visible in the night sky, obstructing views of stars and planets.