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SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites from Florida's Space Coast

SpaceX launched 21 Starlink satellites — including 13 with direct-to-cell capabilities — aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral just before noon on Thursday, after days of weather-related delays. The first stage of this mission is on its 15th flight, including eight previous Starlink missions. After stage separation, the launch vehicle is scheduled to land on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean — where weather has been inclement. Watch the launch below: While this Starlink mission only carries satellites, it comes a few days before the expected launch of SpaceX's manned Polaris Dawn mission. On Saturday, four civilian astronauts will launch from Central Florida to extreme orbital altitudes. There, they will conduct several experiments and complete the first private spacewalk. >> READ MORE: Everything you need to know about SpaceX's manned flight from Central Florida. This Starlink mission comes shortly after the shutdown of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets, which, like those that supported Thursday and Saturday's launches, were grounded amid a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation. Last week, SpaceX successfully launched and deployed Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, but the first stage's return was bumpy. Upon landing on the drone ship, the booster unit tipped over and caught fire, triggering the investigation and shutdown.>> WATCH: SpaceX Starlink launch ends in fiery mishap While the FAA says it is still investigating the incident, the Falcon 9 rockets were cleared to fly just days later. On Saturday, SpaceX launched a Starlink mission without any technical difficulties or glitches.

Cape Canaveral Space Station, Florida —

SpaceX launched 21 Starlink satellites – including 13 with direct-to-cell capabilities – aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral shortly before noon on Thursday, after days of weather-related delays.

The first-stage booster supporting this mission is on its 15th flight, including eight previous Starlink missions. After stage separation, the booster is scheduled to land on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean – where weather has been poor.

Watch the launch below:

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While this Starlink mission will only carry satellites, it will take place a few days before the expected launch of SpaceX's manned Polaris Dawn mission. On Saturday, four civilian astronauts are expected to launch from central Florida to extreme orbital altitudes. There, they will conduct several experiments and complete the first private spacewalk.

>> READ MORE: Everything you need to know about SpaceX's manned launch from Central Florida

This Starlink mission will also take place shortly after the retirement of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets, which – like those that supported the launch on Thursday and Saturday – were grounded due to an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Last week, SpaceX successfully launched and deployed Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, but the first stage's return was bumpy. Upon landing on the drone ship, the launch vehicle tipped over and caught fire, triggering an investigation and the vehicle's shutdown.

>> WATCH: SpaceX Starlink launch ends in fiery mishap

While the FAA says it is still investigating the incident, the Falcon 9 rockets were cleared to fly just days later. On Saturday, SpaceX launched a Starlink mission without any technical difficulties or glitches.

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