The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 10 a.m. EST from the Space
Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. It flew
south along the eastern coast of Florida on its way to space, the company said.
The reusable rocket ferried 133 commercial and government
spacecraft and 10 Starlink satellites to space - part of the company’s SmallSat
Rideshare Program, which provides access to space for small satellite operators
seeking a reliable, affordable ride to orbit, according to the company.
SpaceX delayed the launch one day because of unfavorable
weather. On Jan. 22 Musk, also chief executive of Tesla Inc., wrote on Twitter:
"Launching many small satellites for a wide range of customers tomorrow.
Excited about offering low-cost access to orbit for small companies!"
SpaceX has previously launched to orbit more than 800
satellites of the several thousand needed to offer broadband internet globally,
a $10 billion investment it estimates could generate $30 billion annually to
help fund Musk's interplanetary rocket program, called Starship.