SpaceX continues to expand its Starlink internet network with another successful launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. On May 16, 2025, a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 26 Starlink satellites lifted off at 9:43 a.m. EDT. This mission marks the 59th Falcon 9 flight of 2025, with 42 dedicated to deploying Starlink satellites.
The Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth, landing on the SpaceX drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean approximately eight minutes after launch. This was the second liftoff and landing for this particular booster, which previously supported another Starlink mission.
The 26 Starlink satellites were deployed into low Earth orbit (LEO) about 62.5 minutes after liftoff. There are nearly 7,500 operational Starlink satellites in LEO, forming the largest satellite constellation ever constructed. This ongoing expansion aims to provide high-speed internet access to underserved areas worldwide, leveraging SpaceX's reusable rocket technology for efficient and cost-effective deployments.