SpaceX Launches 28 Starlink Satellites from Florida
In a late-night, or early-morning, operations window, SpaceX successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, delivering 28 new Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission, designated Starlink 10-59, marks SpaceX’s continued push to build a global broadband network through a constellation that now exceeds 8,500 satellites when fully deployed. The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 40, with the Falcon 9 rocket rising through a break in persistent Atlantic storms to reach orbit on schedule.
Falcon 9 Performs an Eight-Time Booster Flight
A key milestone of the mission was the recovery of the Falcon 9 first stage, which landed about 8.5 minutes after liftoff on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. This particular booster, B1090, is no stranger to reuse. It completed eight flights previously, after supporting missions such as CRS-33, O3b mPOWER-E, Crew-10, Bandwagon-3, O3b mPOWER-D, and two prior Starlink deployments. The reuse highlights SpaceX’s emerging economy of scale for orbital launches and its dedication to sustainable spaceflight practices.
What Happens After Liftoff?
Following the successful ascent, the Falcon 9’s upper stage continued its trajectory to the target altitude, carrying the Starlink 10-59 satellites toward a low-Earth orbit. Controllers expected the satellites to be deployed roughly 64 minutes after liftoff, a standard window for Starlink missions. Once deployed, the satellites will become part of a growing network designed to provide broadband connectivity with low latency across wide geographies, including rural and underserved regions.
Why Starlink Matters
Starlink’s orbital network is SpaceX’s long-running effort to bridge the digital divide by delivering high-speed internet access around the world. Each additional batch of satellites helps augment coverage, increase bandwidth, and reduce latency for customers in areas with limited or unreliable terrestrial infrastructure. The ongoing expansion aligns with SpaceX’s broader strategy to monetize space with reliable, scalable technologies that can support both civilian and commercial needs.
A Quieter Weather Window, A Resilient Schedule
The Starlink 10-59 mission was delayed for several days due to persistent storms over the Atlantic and central Florida. Weather resilience remains a critical factor in launch scheduling, and SpaceX has demonstrated repeated capability to adjust plans and still meet ambitious annual milestones. The Florida launch site, alongside other SpaceX facilities, plays a pivotal role in maintaining a steady cadence of missions that contribute to the company’s goal of frequent, routine access to space.
Beyond Falcon 9: Starship Update
In addition to Falcon 9 operations, SpaceX has conducted four suborbital test flights of its Starship rocket this year, with a fifth mission planned for October. While Starship represents the next generation of SpaceX’s deep-space ambitions, Falcon 9 remains the workhorse for achieving rapid, reliable satellite deployment and commercial service closer to Earth.
Looking Forward
With each successful Starlink deployment, SpaceX strengthens its ability to deliver global broadband while proving the cost-effectiveness and reusability of modern launch vehicles. The eighth-flight booster milestone underlines the growing maturity of reusable rocket technology and its potential to lower launch costs over time. As the Starlink constellation expands, the potential benefits in disaster response, remote education, and rural connectivity continue to gain momentum for both consumers and businesses alike.
