Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. About nine minutes after liftoff, the rocket's first stage returned to Earth, touching down on SpaceX's drone ship Just Read the Instructions, for a successful landing. The ship, which was previously scheduled to support the launch of SpaceX's Crew-3 astronaut mission for NASA, which lifted off on Wednesday (Nov. 10), swapped duties with its counterpart A Shortfall of Gravitas, which is SpaceX's newest ship. SpaceX officials said that due to the delays with the most recent crew launch, Just Read the Instructions was forced to stay out at sea, braving waves ranging from 20 feet to 25 feet high. Although the drone ships are designed to withstand those wave heights, the teams opted to switch out the ships (and the crew) so teams would be fresh for both launches. A massive constellation in orbit SpaceX deploys 53 Starlink internet satellites into orbit after a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on Nov. 13, 2021. (Image credit: SpaceX) SpaceX's Starlink megaconstellation is designed to provide high-speed internet coverage to users around the world below, particularly those in remote and rural areas that do not have access to traditional internet connections. To date, SpaceX has delivered more than 100,000 Starlink internet terminals and the service has been approved to operate in at least 14 different countries, with applications pending in several others. In September, the company launched its first full set of satellites into a polar orbit, which will help the company provide access to people in higher-latitudes. With Saturday's successful launch, SpaceX has lofted 1,844 Starlink satellites into orbit (including the initial test versions), which goes well beyond the company's initial quota of 1,440 satellites. However, the company has official approval for thousands more. Today's flight is the second batch of the company's recently upgraded Starlink internet satellites, which are now equipped with intra-satellite laser communications.