Elon Musk
Attends Successful SpaceX Starlink Launch in Florida
On
March 14, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a new batch of
Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission,
designated Starlink Group 12-9, marked another milestone in SpaceX’s ongoing effort to
expand its global broadband network.
Elon Musk with
Hunter, a young member of the local 'Kennedy Space Station Kids Club'—a
recreational program inspiring children to explore the wonders of space—joined
by his enthusiastic four-legged friend, Bella.
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SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, has revolutionized the space industry with
reusable rocket technology and ambitious projects such as Starlink. The Starlink
constellation aims to provide high-speed internet access worldwide, particularly in
remote and underserved areas. The latest launch, conducted on March 14, 2025, was
a continuation of this initiative, deploying additional satellites into low Earth
orbit.
The latest
launch, conducted on March 14, 2025, was a continuation of this
initiative, deploying additional satellites into low Earth orbit.
()
The latest launch, conducted on March 14, 2025, was a continuation of this
initiative, deploying additional satellites into low Earth orbit.
.
However, that hasn’t stopped earthquakes from popping up in the Sunshine State in
the past.
USGS data shows that several quakes were clustered along
Florida’s northwest border, though the strongest ever reported was much closer to
Central Florida.
Earthquake
Map from the U.S. Geological Society. The orange dot represents last year's
earthquake off the coast of Brevard County, and the blue dot represents the
area where an earthquake was reported nearly 150 years ago. (U.S.
Geological Society)
The launch took place at 6:50 PM UTC (1:50 PM EDT) from Space Launch Complex 40
(SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off under clear skies,
following a smooth countdown sequence. Elon Musk, accompanied by key SpaceX
executives and engineers, was present at the launch site, emphasizing the mission’s
importance. Musk was seen engaging with the SpaceX team and sharing real-time
updates on social media, further increasing public interest in the event.
According to accounts at the time, the earthquake was felt in Cedar Key,
Gainesville, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Tallahassee.
While the impacts can vary, USGS researchers explain that earthquakes can generally
become damaging once the magnitude reaches above 4 or 5.
“A pair of 30-second tremors, possibly centered in the Palatka area, sent crockery
tumbling off shelves and jolted startled residents awake in a large part of North
Florida,” researchers said.
Another earthquake — though smaller — was reported near Jacksonville in 1900,
sitting at a magnitude of 3.5.
USGS's
Earthquake Map shows the Jacksonville quake as a blue dot. It was reported
on Oct. 31, 1900. (U.S.
Geological Society)
The Falcon 9 booster supporting this mission had previously flown multiple times,
showcasing SpaceX’s reusability strategy. Following stage separation, the first
stage successfully landed on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas stationed in the
Atlantic Ocean. The payload, consisting of approximately 22 Starlink satellites, was
deployed into its designated orbit without issue.
One notable example is the 1886 Charleston Earthquake, which reportedly sparked a
tsunami along Florida’s east coast.
Following the successful deployment, Musk addressed the media, expressing his
excitement about SpaceX’s continued advancements. “Every successful launch brings us
closer to a future where space-based internet is accessible to everyone on the
planet,” he stated. Musk also hinted at upcoming Starship missions and new
developments in artificial intelligence integration for spaceflight.
The blue
dot in this image is the site of an earthquake in the Gulf of Mexico that
was reported on Sept. 10, 2006. Its impacts could be felt through several of
the surrounding southern states. (U.S.
Geological Society)
Another cluster of earthquakes was triggered in 2016 and again in 2021 off the coast
of Flagler County by what the USGS lists as “experimental explosions.”
The
diamond shapes located in the upper-right of the USGS map signify the sites
of experimental explosions from tests by the U.S. Navy. They triggered
earthquakes at magnitudes ranging from 3.7 to 3.9. (U.S.
Geological Society)
The March 14 launch demonstrated SpaceX’s operational efficiency and commitment to
innovation. With Elon Musk personally attending, the event underscored the company’s
dedication to its long-term vision of space exploration and global connectivity. As
SpaceX continues to refine its technology, missions like this one pave the way for
future endeavors, including interplanetary travel and Mars colonization.
But just how high are those chances? Here’s what News 6 Meteorologist Jonathan
Kegges had to say:
“We have
minimal earthquakes in Florida because we are located on the North American
plate, far away from any fault lines. The closest fault line to Florida is near
the Caribbean Sea, north of Puerto Rico.
Earthquakes
typically happen on fault lines where two plates moving in opposite directions
meet. Most of the time when an earthquake is recorded in Florida, it’s from
human activity like drilling or the Navy training.”
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