
A fresh batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites has successfully entered orbit following a launch from California on Monday, February 10.
The Falcon 9 rocket, equipped with 23 broadband satellites, lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 9:09 p.m. EST (6:09 p.m. local time in California; 02:09 GMT on February 11).
The first stage of the Falcon 9 returned to Earth as scheduled, making a landing in the Pacific Ocean approximately eight minutes after departure on the SpaceX drone ship, “Of Course I Still Love You.”
This mission marked the 23rd launch and recovery for this particular booster, as detailed in a SpaceX mission overview, with 14 of those flights dedicated to Starlink.
Meanwhile, the upper stage of the Falcon 9 continued its journey, carrying the 23 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. The deployment of the satellites occurred approximately 65 minutes post-launch, as confirmed by SpaceX.
In total, SpaceX has conducted 18 Falcon 9 missions in 2025, including 12 that specifically deployed Starlink satellites.
The Starlink satellite network, recognized as the largest of its kind, now comprises over 6,900 active satellites, as reported by astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.
