SpaceX Launches 24 Starlink Satellites into Orbit
SpaceX has continued to expand its broadband service by launching 24 more Starlink satellites into orbit. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on August 14 at 1:05 a.m. EDT.
Mission Highlights
- Falcon 9 Performance: The rocket’s first-stage booster, B1093, performed flawlessly on its fifth flight. It landed upright on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean.
- Satellite Deployment: The upper stage reached its target orbit and deployed the 24 satellites roughly one hour after liftoff.
- Mission Milestones: This launch marked SpaceX’s 98th Falcon 9 mission of 2025 and the 516th flight since 2010.
Broader Impact and Future Plans
- Starlink Constellation: The launch brought SpaceX’s active Starlink constellation to over 8,100 satellites, aiming to deliver low-cost broadband globally.
- Global Coverage: Starlink service already covers roughly 130 countries and territories. There are plans to deploy around 12,000 satellites for true global coverage.
- Next Mission: The next Starlink mission, scheduled for August 15, will send another 24 satellites into orbit
Tech Newsroom 24/7 