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SpaceX achieves record-breaking reuse of Falcon 9 rocket

<p>The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 60 Starlink internet satellites lifts off in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday 20 January, 2021</p> (SpaceX)

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 60 Starlink internet satellites lifts off in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday 20 January, 2021

(SpaceX)

SpaceX has achieved a record-breaking eighth reuse of one of its Falcon 9 rockets.

The first stage rocket launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday, carrying the latest batch of Starlink internet satellites into orbit.

Eight minutes after launch, the Falcon 9 rocket completed a successful landing aboard a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean amid tricky conditions.

Winds were stronger than usual at the landing site, with SpaceX using the opportunity to “test the limits” of the rockets self-landing capabilities.

It marks a significant milestone towards making space travel more cost effective and accessible.

The launch was originally delayed due to “unfavourable weather” in the recovery area off the coast of Florida, yet SpaceX decided to push ahead with Wednesday’s launch despite the windy conditions.

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The latest Starlink satellites join more than 800 already in orbit, which are already beaming high-speed broadband down to users on Earth.

SpaceX eventually plans to launch tens of thousands of Starlink satellites to provide global coverage, with CEO Elon Musk saying last week that funds generated from the venture will eventually be used to establish a human colony on Mars.