On Sunday, November 12, SpaceX launched the SES O3b mPOWER mission, launching two communications satellites into medium Earth orbit (MEO). The Falcon 9 rocket carrying these satellites lifted off from the Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 16:08 ET (21:08 GMT).

The first stage of the Falcon 9 returned to Earth and made a vertical landing on the company’s unmanned spacecraft approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. A ship known as the “Gravity Lack” was waiting near the Atlantic Ocean; As is standard for Falcon 9 flights, the rocket’s upper stage will not be recovered.

Two hours after liftoff, the rocket’s upper stage placed the first of two satellites into mean Earth orbit (MEO) approximately 5,000 miles (8,000 km) above our planet. Seven minutes later, a second satellite was deployed.

The two Boeing spacecraft on board will expand the O3b constellation of communications satellites operated by Luxembourg-based provider SES SA. Once completed, the group of six satellites is expected to provide high-speed connectivity to a variety of customers in both the public and private sectors from late 2023.

The Falcon 9 launch vehicle has previously flown eight missions; five of which were devoted to the creation of Starlink, SpaceX’s mega-constellation of broadband Internet satellites. Starlink currently consists of more than 5,000 operational satellites. The SES O3b mPOWER mission was SpaceX’s 84th launch this year.