The Starlink satellite delivery offers a stunning view of Earth in a video shared by SpaceX

SpaceX recently shared a video taken from space that offers a stunning view of Earth as the company’s satellites prepare to deploy into orbit following a recent rocket launch.

The images, taken during a delivery of the Starlink satellite aboard the company’s Falcon 9 rocket, show a glimpse of protective covers known as payload fairings separating and falling back to Earth. SpaceX posted the video on social media site X as it was on the verge of tying its record for the number of launches in a single year.

The company, led by CEO and founder Elon Musk, also recently provided free access to Starlink Internet service to those affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, although SpaceX faced criticism because an expensive receiver was still needed.

The video shows a stunning view of Earth from Falcon 9

Video from space shows a group of Starlink satellites as two pieces of protective hardware, known as payload fairings, fall from the Falcon 9 rocket that carried the payload into orbit.

“View from the active and passive halves of a payload fairing during a recent Starlink Falcon 9 launch,” SpaceX told X on Monday.

SpaceX did not specify which launch the footage was from, but the company shared the video a day before it cleared its latest launch to deliver another batch of satellites into orbit. The launch, which would have tied last year’s record of 72 Space Coast launches, could be underway by Wednesday.

That would make it likely that a new pitching record could be set in early November, according to Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network.

What is Starlink? SpaceX provides internet to the whole world

Starlink is a constellation of thousands of privately owned satellites that enable SpaceX to deliver the Internet to customers around the world.

SpaceX began launching Starlink satellites into orbit in 2019 and has steadily expanded its network since then, with more than 6,000 operational satellites, according to Space.com.

Following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in recent weeks, SpaceX announced that it would offer one month of free access to Starlink Internet service to new and existing residential customers in Florida and affected states. However, the move drew criticism when some customers pointed out that a Starlink receiver was still needed, which costs $349, according to a customer service article.

After the backlash, SpaceX dropped the monthly service fee to $120 for the rest of the year.

SpaceX also recently partnered with T-Mobile to provide the first successful wireless emergency alert in the US without Earth-based cell towers. After Helene, SpaceX worked with T-Mobile to enable basic text messaging (SMS), allowing users in hurricane-affected areas to text friends and family, text loved ones, and receive emergency alerts.

Contributing: Brooke Edwards, Florida Today.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking news and trends for USA TODAY. Contact him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SpaceX’s Starlink satellite delivery shares video from Earth