Live from launch pad 39A (members only)

The mission is the first that will populate the 13th group of Starlink satellites in SpaceX’s megaconstellation. Liftoff from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center happened at 12:24 a.m. EST (0524 UTC).

Citing a tropical storm in the downrange booster recovery zone, SpaceX said Monday that a launch of up to 60 more Starlink Internet satellites previously planned this week from Cape Canaveral has been delayed until after the launch of the company’s first crewed flight.

The Starlink 6-40 mission marked a rare Leap Day launch from the Cape. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket occurred at 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 UTC) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.