Starlink 21 (Falcon 9)
14 March 2021
Space Launch Complex 39A
Kennedy Space Center
Time exposure of the launch as seen from the Merrill P. Barber Bridge in Vero Beach. Note the short orange streak just above the trees at right. This is the entry burn of the first stage as it heads toward a landing on the droneship.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 60 Starlink satellites into orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center at 6:01 a.m. on 14 March 2021.

This mission represents the first time SpaceX will be reusing a Falcon 9 first stage for the ninth time. The Falcon 9 first stage supporting this mission previously supported launch of Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission, RADARSAT Constellation Mission, SXM-7, and five Starlink missions. Falcon 9’s fairing previously flew on the Transporter-1 mission.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed about eight minutes after launch on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Starlink satellites will eventually form a constellation around the Earth providing global satellite-based internet access.
The second stage exhaust plume is lit by the Sun just below the horizon.
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