Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) has successfully launched 28 new Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission took place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, where the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off as scheduled.
According to SpaceX, the first stage of the rocket made a flawless return approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, landing on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean, as intended. This marked the nineteenth flight of this particular booster, contributing to SpaceX”s 135th successful recovery of an orbital-class rocket.
This launch is part of the ongoing expansion of the Falcon 9 program, with this mission being the 1,081st launch of the rocket in 2025, and brings the total Falcon 9 missions since its inception in 2010 to 529.
In 2025, all of SpaceX”s orbital missions have utilized the Falcon 9 rockets, alongside five sub-orbital test flights of the larger Starship vehicle. In the previous year, 2024, the company executed 132 Falcon 9 missions, two Falcon Heavy launches, and four sub-orbital Starship tests, showcasing its commitment to launch reusability and technological advancement.
The Starlink project aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity across the globe through a large network of small satellites positioned in low-Earth orbit.
