SpaceX successfully launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites from California in the early hours of November 23, 2025. The mission was notable for using a brand-new Falcon 9 first-stage booster, which completed its inaugural flight before landing safely on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean.
The launch adds 28 more satellites to the company's growing low-Earth orbit constellation, a service that recently surpassed 8 million subscribers worldwide. This flight marks the 110th Starlink deployment for SpaceX this year, underscoring the rapid pace of the company's launch operations.
Key Takeaways
- A new Falcon 9 booster, B1100, successfully completed its first mission.
- The rocket launched 28 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
- The first stage landed on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You'.
- This was the 110th Starlink launch of 2025 for SpaceX.
- The Starlink service now has over 8 million customers globally.
Predawn Liftoff from California
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base at precisely 12:48 a.m. PST. The predawn launch illuminated the California coastline as the rocket ascended on a south-easterly trajectory.
This flight path is designed to place the satellites into a specific orbital plane inclined at 53 degrees to the Earth's Equator. This orbit is a crucial component of the Starlink network, helping to provide continuous internet coverage across different latitudes as the constellation expands.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX. It aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet access to underserved and remote areas around the globe. The system relies on thousands of small satellites in low-Earth orbit that communicate with ground-based transceivers.
Inaugural Flight for Booster B1100
This mission marked the debut of Falcon 9 first stage B1100. It is the eighth new booster to be added to SpaceX's reusable rocket fleet in 2025. The company's strategy of reusing first-stage boosters is central to its ability to maintain a high launch frequency and reduce the cost of access to space.
After propelling the second stage and its payload toward orbit, the B1100 booster separated and performed a series of engine burns to reorient itself for a return to Earth. Approximately eight and a half minutes after liftoff, the booster executed a precise landing on the autonomous drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You', which was positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
The successful recovery means B1100 is now ready to be refurbished for future missions, joining the ranks of SpaceX's flight-proven boosters that have flown multiple times.
Rapid Fleet Expansion
The introduction of B1100 as the eighth new booster in 2025 highlights SpaceX's commitment to scaling its launch capabilities. This expansion supports the aggressive deployment schedule for Starlink and missions for commercial and government customers.
Expanding a Global Network
The 28 satellites on this flight will soon join the thousands already in orbit. Following their deployment from the Falcon 9's second stage about an hour into the mission, the satellites will use their onboard ion thrusters to gradually raise their orbits to their operational altitude.
The continuous addition of satellites is critical for enhancing the capacity and reliability of the Starlink network. SpaceX's recent announcement of reaching 8 million customers demonstrates growing global demand for its satellite internet service. The company has steadily increased its launch cadence to meet this demand, with this mission being the 110th dedicated to Starlink this year alone.
With each successful launch and booster landing, SpaceX refines a system that has fundamentally changed the economics of spaceflight. The flawless debut of B1100 and the continued expansion of the Starlink constellation represent another step forward in the company's long-term objectives for global connectivity and reusable rocketry.