SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Space Coast early Sunday morning, carrying 28 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit. The mission, designated Starlink 10-27, lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on September 21, 2025, at 6:53 a.m. EDT.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceX launched the Starlink 10-27 mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- The payload consisted of 28 Starlink V2 Mini satellites destined for low Earth orbit.
- The Falcon 9 first stage booster, B1085, completed its 11th successful flight and landing.
- The booster landed on the droneship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' in the Atlantic Ocean.
- The launch occurred under near-perfect weather conditions, with a 90% chance of favorable weather.
Mission Details and Trajectory
The Starlink 10-27 mission began its journey from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral. Following liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket embarked on a north-easterly trajectory over the Atlantic Ocean. This flight path is standard for many Starlink missions launched from Florida, allowing the satellites to be placed into the correct orbital plane.
The primary goal of this mission was to deploy another batch of Starlink satellites, which are designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet service globally. The 28 satellites are scheduled to be released from the rocket's second stage approximately one hour and five minutes after launch.
The Starlink Constellation
SpaceX's Starlink project aims to build a massive constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet access to underserved areas and to provide competitive service in more urbanized regions. The V2 Mini satellites represent an upgraded version with enhanced capacity compared to earlier models.
A Veteran Booster's Eleventh Flight
The first stage booster used for this mission, identified by tail number B1085, is a seasoned component of SpaceX's reusable rocket fleet. This launch marked its 11th successful mission, underscoring the company's commitment to reusability to reduce the cost of access to space.
The reusability of Falcon 9 boosters is a cornerstone of SpaceX's operational strategy, allowing for a high launch cadence and significant cost savings. Before this flight, B1085 had a diverse and notable launch history.
Previous Missions of Booster B1085
The booster's flight manifest includes several high-profile missions for both government and commercial customers. Its previous assignments highlight its reliability and versatility:
- NASA’s Crew-9: A mission transporting astronauts to the International Space Station.
- Fram2: A private astronaut mission.
- Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1: A lunar lander mission as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
Launch Sequence and Successful Landing
The launch proceeded without any reported issues. After separating from the second stage, the first stage booster performed a series of engine burns to reorient itself for its descent back to Earth. The booster targeted a precise landing in the Atlantic Ocean.
Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1085 successfully touched down on the autonomous droneship, 'A Shortfall of Gravitas'. This recovery is a critical part of SpaceX's process, enabling the booster to be refurbished and prepared for a future flight.
Landing Milestones
This successful recovery marked the 125th landing on the 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' droneship. It was also the 508th successful booster landing for SpaceX overall, a significant achievement in the history of reusable rocketry.
Weather Conditions and Visual Spectacle
Weather is always a critical factor in any rocket launch. For the Starlink 10-27 mission, conditions were highly favorable. The 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral had forecast a 90 percent chance of acceptable weather for the launch window.
Launch weather officers noted the presence of dry air in the mid-levels of the atmosphere, which limited the potential for lightning. The primary concern was a slight risk from cumulus clouds, but their low-topped nature meant they posed a minimal threat.
"Isolated coastal showers are likely... but will only be a distant concern for the flight through portion of the Cumulus Cloud Rule due to their expected low-topped nature," stated the official forecast.
The early morning timing of the launch created an opportunity for a visually stunning phenomenon. As the rocket ascended, its upper stage plume was illuminated by the rising sun, which could create what is known as a "jellyfish effect" in the sky for observers on the ground. This occurs when exhaust particles high in the dark atmosphere catch the first rays of sunlight.