Vandenberg Space Force Base, United States - October 20, 2024

In the early hours of October 20th morning, SpaceX achieved another monumental milestone in space technology by launching the final set of Eutelsat OneWeb's first-generation broadband satellites into orbit. This mission, executed with precision from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, not only signifies the completion of Eutelsat OneWeb's initial satellite constellation but also heralds a significant expansion in global internet accessibility.

The launch commenced at 1:13 a.m. EDT (0513 GMT), with the Falcon 9 rocket piercing the night sky, carrying with it the hopes of enhanced global connectivity. This event marks the culmination of the deployment of Eutelsat OneWeb's V1 satellites, a project aimed at bridging the digital divide through satellite internet across the globe.

Notably, the Falcon 9's first stage, having completed six prior missions, demonstrated SpaceX's commitment to reusable rocket technology by landing back at Vandenberg's Landing Zone 4 about eight minutes post-launch. This successful return further solidifies SpaceX's reputation for pioneering cost-effective space travel.

Following the booster's return, the Falcon 9's upper stage continued its journey, tasked with the delicate deployment of the 20 satellites over a span of 20 minutes. This phase, starting approximately 59 minutes after liftoff, is crucial for positioning the satellites into their operational orbits, from where they will begin to offer high-speed internet services.