Key Takeaways
- SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites into orbit from California.
- The mission marked the debut flight of a brand-new Falcon 9 first-stage booster, B1100.
- The booster completed its flight with a successful landing on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean.
- This was the 110th Starlink delivery mission of the year, supporting a network that now serves 8 million customers.
SpaceX has once again expanded its satellite internet constellation, launching a batch of 28 Starlink satellites aboard a new Falcon 9 rocket from California. The successful mission highlights the company’s rapid launch pace and its continuous fleet expansion.
A New Booster Takes Flight
The liftoff occurred at 12:48 a.m. PST from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base. This mission was notable for being the maiden flight of Falcon 9 booster B1100. This marks the eighth new first-stage booster to join SpaceX’s reusable rocket fleet this year, underscoring the company’s commitment to increasing its launch capacity.
Mission Profile and Successful Landing
Following its departure from Vandenberg, the Falcon 9 flew on a south-easterly path along the California coast, targeting an orbit inclined at 53 degrees to the Equator.
In a now-signature maneuver, the first stage separated and performed a flawless landing. Approximately eight and a half minutes after liftoff, booster B1100 safely touched down on the SpaceX drone ship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You,’ stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This recovery allows the new booster to be refurbished and flown on future missions.
Expanding the Starlink Constellation
The primary goal of the flight was to deliver more satellites for the Starlink internet service. The 28 satellites were deployed from the rocket’s second stage about one hour after launch.
This was the 110th dedicated Starlink launch of the year, a testament to SpaceX’s aggressive deployment schedule. The company recently announced a major milestone, confirming that the Starlink service has surpassed 8 million customers worldwide. Each launch further enhances the network’s capacity and coverage.