SpaceX has once again taken a giant leap in expanding its global internet network. On the evening of June 16, 2025, a Falcon 9 rocket launched 26 new Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission is part of an ongoing effort to grow the world’s largest satellite internet constellation, delivering high-speed internet to remote and underserved regions worldwide.
SpaceX Rocket Launches 26 Starlink Satellites Into Orbit
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 8:36 p.m. PDT, marking its third flight since entering SpaceX’s reusable rocket fleet. After a smooth ascent, the upper stage reached low Earth orbit about eight and a half minutes later. A second engine burn positioned the rocket for the successful deployment of the 26 Starlink Group 15-9 satellites.
These new satellites will join the growing Starlink network, which now includes over 7,760 active satellites. This ever-expanding constellation powers broadband internet service for users across the globe, particularly benefiting regions where fiber or cable infrastructure is impractical.
Reusable Falcon 9 Booster Lands Successfully After SpaceX Rocket Launches
In a signature move showcasing SpaceX's innovation, the first stage booster, identified as B1093, landed on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the third successful mission for this specific booster, reaffirming SpaceX’s dedication to reusable rocket technology.
By recovering and reusing rocket components, SpaceX reduces costs and improves the sustainability of space missions. This strategy has been critical to maintaining the company’s record-breaking launch cadence throughout 2025.
SpaceX Rocket Launches Fuel Record Year as Starlink Expands Global Reach
This California launch followed another Starlink deployment just three days earlier from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. That mission included direct-to-cell satellites, enabling unmodified mobile phones to connect directly with Starlink for text messaging and basic services in areas without cellular coverage.
Although the June 16 launch did not include direct-to-cell capability, it substantially strengthens Starlink’s existing broadband satellite network. The ongoing growth of this constellation is closing the digital divide, making fast and reliable internet available from the mountains of Nepal to the outback of Australia.
With over 70 missions completed in 2025 by mid-June, more than 50 dedicated to Starlink, SpaceX is on pace to achieve a record 170 orbital launches this year. This aggressive deployment underscores the company’s commitment to building the future of global internet access.
Why Starlink and SpaceX Rocket Launches Matter
SpaceX’s Starlink project is reshaping the internet landscape. By putting thousands of low Earth orbit satellites into space, it delivers high-speed, low-latency connectivity where traditional infrastructure can't reach.
From enabling telemedicine and remote education to powering emergency communications in disaster zones, Starlink’s impact is profound. Whether on land or at sea, in cities or wilderness, SpaceX rocket launches are turning the vision of global, borderless connectivity into reality.
