Early this morning, on November 9, SpaceX marked another milestone in its ambitious satellite deployment efforts by launching a fresh batch of its Starlink broadband satellites. The launch took place at precisely 3:10 a.m. EST (0810 GMT) from the iconic Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a historic site known for its significant contributions to space exploration.
At the heart of this mission was the Falcon 9 rocket, equipped with 29 Starlink spacecraft. Following a successful liftoff, the rocket's first stage executed a planned return about 8.5 minutes later, safely landing in the Atlantic Ocean on the SpaceX drone ship named A Shortfall of Gravitas. This particular booster, designated as 1069, achieved its 28th flight today, edging closer to the record of 31 flights held by Booster 1067, which was established last month during another Starlink launch.
As the first stage made its return, the Falcon 9's upper stage was busy transporting the 29 Starlink satellites to their intended low Earth orbit. These satellites are scheduled for deployment approximately 64 minutes post-launch, further expanding the capabilities of the Starlink network. With this launch, the total number of operational satellites in the Starlink megaconstellation has now surpassed 8,800, making it the largest network of spacecraft ever assembled.
In 2025 alone, SpaceX has remarkably conducted 143 Falcon 9 missions, with 103 of those specifically dedicated to deploying Starlink satellites. This impressive frequency highlights SpaceX's commitment to enhancing global internet connectivity through its expanding satellite constellation, which is pivotal for providing high-speed internet access in underserved regions around the world.
As SpaceX continues its efforts to innovate and expand the Starlink network, the company's frequent launches not only reinforce its leadership in the aerospace sector but also pave the way for a more connected future.