A powerful ViaSat internet relay satellite is launched by SpaceX's Falcon Heavy

SpaceX aims to deploy space-based internet relay stations to provide broadband access to customers anywhere in the world.

After several delays due to weather and technical concerns, SpaceX launched a Falcon Heavy rocket carrying a competitor's internet satellite, the first of three next-generation data relay stations capable of terabyte-per-second performance, on Sunday. After a final hour-long delay due to high winds, SpaceX's most powerful operational rocket ignited at 8:26 p.m. EDT and ascended away from Kennedy Space Center's historic pad 39A atop more than 5 million pounds of thrust.

The Falcon Heavy sped swiftly as it devoured its kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants and reduced weight, thanks to 27 Merlin engines in three strapped-together Falcon 9 first-stage boosters. After soaring straight up, the rocket arced eastward, putting on a spectacular early-evening show for nearby residents and tourists.

Sunday's voyage was the culmination of a hectic few days for SpaceX, which had previously launched 46 of its own low-altitude Starlink broadband satellites. On Friday, the business launched two medium-altitude broadband satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for Luxembourg-based SES. All three launches highlight the ongoing race to deploy space-based internet relay stations to provide broadband access to customers worldwide, including rural, hard-to-reach, or underserved areas, as well as aircraft and ships at sea.