SpaceX launches 52 Starlink satellites from California base

A SpaceX rocket carried 52 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from California early on December 18. The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from coastal Vandenberg Space Force Base at 4:41 a.m. and arced over the Pacific. The Falcon’s first stage returned and landed on a SpaceX drone ship in the ocean. It was the 11th launch and recovery of the stage. Starlink is a satellite-based global internet system that SpaceX has been building for years to bring internet access to underserved areas of the world.