This is the spectacular moment a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 29 Starlink satellites into space.

The rocket lifted off from NASA Kennedy Space Centre's Complex 39A at 2:44 am EST on Monday, marking the first day of the year's final month with an early morning mission.

Officials confirmed the vehicle carried at least 29 Starlink satellites on board.

Around nine minutes after liftoff, the mission reached its preliminary orbit, positioning the Starlink Group 6-86 satellites for deployment roughly an hour later.

During that time, the Falcon 9 first stage booster, designated B1095, completed its fourth flight by returning to Earth for a propulsive landing on the autonomous droneship Just Read the Instructions stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

The 29 newly launched Starlink satellites join SpaceX's broadband internet constellation, which now includes just over 9,100 operational spacecraft in low Earth orbit, said satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.

Monday's mission was SpaceX's 153rd Falcon 9 launch of the year, with 110 of those flights carrying Starlink satellites.

Since 2019, the company has flown a total of 331 missions dedicated to building out its Starlink megaconstellation.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX to provide high-speed broadband coverage across the globe, particularly in remote or underserved areas. The system relies on thousands of small satellites orbiting Earth at low altitudes.