Update 11:44 a.m. EST (1644 UTC): SpaceX landed the first stage booster on the droneship.
SpaceX launched its latest batch of Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The Tuesday afternoon mission carried 27 second-generation Starlinks, a new record for this type of satellite.
Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) happened at 7:45 a.m. PST (10:45 p.m. EST, 1545 UTC). SpaceX had to stand down from a launch attempt on Sunday when a plane entered the keep out zone 11 seconds before the planned liftoff. It did not give a reason for the Monday scrub.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, tail number B1082, launched for a 10th time. SpaceX previously used it to fly USSF-62, OneWeb 4 and seven previous batches of Starlink satellites.
It is one of four boosters still in use that has only launched from the West Coast.
A little more than eight minutes into the mission, B1082 landed on the SpaceX droneship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You,’ marking the 117th booster landing on OCISLY and the 400th booster landing to date.
The Starlink 11-8 mission sent more second-generation satellites into orbit in one batch than previously possible. According to SpaceX’s 2024 Progress Report, the company said it created Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites. The company said they not only have new capabilities, but they are also lighter, and therefore, more can be launched at one time. SpaceX said that its newest version of the V2 Mini are 22 percent lighter than the original V2 Mini.
“These satellites have a new backhaul antenna powered by a SpaceX-designed and built dual band chip, called Doppio,” SpaceX wrote. “The satellites have upgraded avionics, propulsion, and power systems and are optimized for Falcon 9 to allow up to 29 satellites to launch on each mission – six more satellites per launch than the original V2 Mini design.”
From connecting astronauts in space, to providing high-speed internet to more than 4.6M active customers here on Earth, the @Starlink team is laser focused on expanding coverage, increasing speeds and lowering latency so we can connect as many as possible around the world pic.twitter.com/twBoSToUsK
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 16, 2025
It’s unclear if SpaceX launched any of these new satellites prior to the Starlink 11-8 mission. Starting at the beginning of 2024, SpaceX was typically launching 23 Starlink satellites from Florida and 22 from Vandenberg, that is when the satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities weren’t onboard.
The Starlink 6-39 mission, which launched on a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Feb. 25, 2024, was the first to feature 24 Starlink V2 Mini satellites, but there was no mention of any of them being optimized.
It wan’t until Nov. 11, 2024, when another batch of 24 satellites launched, which once again, took place at Cape Canaveral. Since then, there were six more missions that featured 24 Starlink V2 Mini satellites each.
SpaceX achieves milestone with 400th Falcon booster landing on latest Starlink mission
SpaceX has achieved a significant milestone with the successful landing of its 400th Falcon booster on a mission carrying 27 Starlink satellites into orbit. The successful landing marks another step forward in the company’s goal to revolutionize global internet connectivity.
The mission, which saw the Falcon 9 rocket lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, was the latest in a series of launches aimed at expanding SpaceX’s Starlink constellation. With each successful launch and landing, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in space exploration.
The 27 Starlink satellites deployed during the mission will join the growing constellation of internet-beaming satellites in low Earth orbit. These satellites play a crucial role in providing high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas around the world.
SpaceX’s ability to consistently land and reuse Falcon boosters has been a key factor in driving down the cost of spaceflight and making missions more affordable. The company’s commitment to reusability has set a new standard in the industry and is paving the way for a more sustainable future in space exploration.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in space, the successful landing of its 400th Falcon booster serves as a reminder of the company’s dedication to innovation and excellence. With each new milestone, SpaceX is proving that the possibilities in space are limitless.
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