SpaceX successfully launched 22 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch occurred from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on February 22, 2025, at 8:38 p.m. EST (5:38 p.m. local time).
The Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth approximately eight minutes after liftoff, landing on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the 11th launch and landing for this specific booster, its 8th dedicated to Starlink missions.
The upper stage continued to carry the satellites to their designated orbit, with deployment occurring about 62 minutes post-launch. This mission represents SpaceX's 23rd Falcon 9 launch in 2025, with 17 dedicated to expanding the Starlink megaconstellation. The Starlink network currently comprises over 7,000 operational satellites.