Update May 1, 3:10 p.m. EDT (1910 UTC): SpaceX confirms deployment of the 29 Starlink satellites.
SpaceX kicked off the month of May by launching a batch of Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Friday afternoon.
The Starlink 10-38 mission carried with it a batch of 29 broadband internet satellites, adding to the megaconstellation that currently consists of more than 10,000 spacecraft. This was the 43rd mission of the year featuring Starlink satellites as the primary payload.
Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 happened at 2:06:10 p.m. EDT (1806:10 UTC). The Falcon 9 rocket flew on a north-easterly trajectory upon leaving the launch pad.
The 45th Weather Squadron forecast an 80 percent chance for favorable weather during liftoff. Meteorologists said they are watching for possible violations of the cumulus cloud and thick cloud layers rules.
