Oct. 26 (UPI) — SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a payload of 22 Starlink internet communications satellites from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Saturday, marking a state record 73rd orbital rocket launch this year.

The Falcon 9 lifted off from Launch Complex 40 at the Kennedy Space Center as planned at 5:47 p.m. EDT.

Less than 10 minutes later, the first stage booster used in 18 previous launches landed safely aboard SpaceX’s Just Read the Instructions drone in the Atlantic Ocean.

Saturday’s launch was the company’s 100th Falcon 9 mission so far this year: 66 of them have involved deploying Starlink satellites in the network’s low-orbit megaconstellation. according to Espace.com.

Meanwhile, local officials on Florida’s Space Coast celebrated the 73rd launch of 2024, the largest launch ever in a single calendar year, with more than two months to go.