SpaceX rocket launches 60 internet satellites into space

U.S. private space company SpaceX launched its seventh batch of 60 Starlink satellites into space on Wednesday.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9's first stage has landed on the "Of Course I Still Love You" droneship, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Later, SpaceX confirmed successful deployment of the 60 Starlink satellites.

Falcon 9's first stage had supported Crew Dragon's first flight to the International Space Station, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, and the fourth Starlink mission, according to SpaceX. Falcon 9's fairing previously supported the AMOS-17 mission.

Starlink will deliver high-speed broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable, according to SpaceX.

SpaceX plans to launch into space about 12,000 Starlink satellites by 2024, and has revealed a bigger plan to launch 30,000 additional ones, bringing the total to 42,000.

The company's internet service will be available in the northern United States and Canada at some point this year, with global coverage planned for 2021.