SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 28 Starlink internet satellites into low Earth orbit from California on Sunday, September 28, 2025. The mission continued the company's rapid expansion of its global broadband network and marked another successful recovery of a flight-proven booster.
The rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 7:04 p.m. local time (10:04 p.m. EDT), illuminating the evening sky. This flight was the 124th Falcon 9 mission for SpaceX in 2025, underscoring the company's high operational tempo.
Key Takeaways
- Mission: A Falcon 9 rocket launched 28 Starlink satellites (Group 11-20) into orbit.
- Launch Site: The mission took place at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
- Date and Time: Liftoff occurred on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 10:04 p.m. EDT.
- Booster Recovery: The first stage booster, designated B1063, completed its 28th flight and landed on a droneship.
- Constellation Growth: The launch pushes the total number of active Starlink satellites to more than 8,500.
Details of the California Launch
The latest Starlink mission, designated Group 11-20, began precisely on schedule. The Falcon 9 rocket ascended from its launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, a key site for missions requiring a polar orbit trajectory. The launch provided a spectacular view for observers in southern California as the rocket climbed through the dusk sky.
The primary goal of the mission was to deliver 28 satellites to low Earth orbit, a process that was expected to be completed approximately one hour after liftoff. SpaceX confirmed that the Falcon 9's upper stage reached its intended orbit, preparing for the successful deployment of the payload.
Vandenberg's Role in Spaceflight
Vandenberg Space Force Base is strategically important for launching satellites into polar orbits. Unlike launches from Florida that typically fly east over the Atlantic, missions from Vandenberg head south over the Pacific Ocean. This trajectory allows satellites to orbit the Earth from pole to pole, which is ideal for Earth observation and certain communication constellations like Starlink.
A Veteran Booster's 28th Flight
A central element of this mission was the performance of the Falcon 9's first stage booster, B1063. This particular booster completed its 28th successful launch and landing, a testament to SpaceX's leadership in rocket reusability. By reusing its most expensive hardware, the company has significantly reduced the cost of accessing space.
After separating from the upper stage minutes after liftoff, the first stage performed a series of controlled burns to guide its descent back through the atmosphere. It successfully touched down on the autonomous droneship "Of Course I Still Love You," which was positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
Booster B1063 has a long and varied flight history, having supported critical missions for NASA, the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NROL), and commercial partners. Its previous payloads include the DART asteroid deflection test and the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich ocean-monitoring satellite.
The ability to consistently recover and refly boosters is the cornerstone of SpaceX's business model. It allows for a launch cadence that far exceeds that of its competitors, enabling the rapid deployment of the Starlink network and serving a wide range of commercial and government clients.
Expanding the Starlink Megaconstellation
With the addition of these 28 satellites, the Starlink megaconstellation continues its steady growth. The network now consists of more than 8,500 active satellites in orbit, providing high-speed, low-latency internet service to millions of users in over 90 countries.
SpaceX has been launching Starlink satellites at an aggressive pace for several years, with the goal of establishing a robust global network. The company has regulatory approval to deploy tens of thousands of satellites, and each launch adds more capacity and coverage to the system.
The Purpose of Starlink
The Starlink network is designed to provide internet access to underserved and remote areas where traditional ground-based infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable. It also offers connectivity for mobile applications, including aviation, maritime, and recreational vehicles.
- Global Coverage: Aims to provide internet service to nearly every corner of the globe.
- Low Latency: Satellites in low Earth orbit reduce signal travel time compared to traditional geostationary satellites.
- High Throughput: Each new generation of satellites offers increased data capacity and speed.
The continuous deployment of satellites is crucial for maintaining and improving the quality of service as the user base grows. SpaceX regularly launches batches of satellites from both its Florida and California launch sites.
SpaceX's Unprecedented Launch Cadence
This mission marked SpaceX's 124th Falcon 9 launch of 2025, continuing a record-setting year for the aerospace company. According to public launch data, this flight was the 542nd launch of a Falcon 9 rocket since its debut in 2010. This high frequency is largely enabled by the reusability of the Falcon 9 booster.
The company's ability to turn around boosters quickly allows for multiple launches per week, a feat previously considered impossible in the launch industry. This rapid pace has not only accelerated the build-out of Starlink but has also made SpaceX the primary launch provider for a majority of global satellite deployments.
The Evolution of the Falcon 9
Since its first flight in 2010, the Falcon 9 rocket has undergone numerous upgrades to improve performance, reliability, and reusability. These iterative improvements have transformed it into one of the most reliable and cost-effective launch vehicles in the world, dominating the commercial launch market.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of rocket reusability, its launch rate is expected to increase further. The company's focus remains on deploying the full Starlink constellation while also serving its diverse manifest of government and commercial customers.
