SpaceX Achieves 100th Starlink Launch of 2025, Booster Nears Record
A successful Falcon 9 launch on Friday afternoon added 28 Starlink satellites to the growing constellation, marking SpaceX’s 100th dedicated mission for the broadband service this year and showcasing the remarkable reusability of its rocket technology.
SpaceX continues to rapidly expand its Starlink network, aiming to provide global internet access. The launch, which occurred at 1:41 p.m. PDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, saw the Falcon 9 booster successfully land on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean, demonstrating the company’s commitment to cost-effective space travel.
Record-Breaking Booster Performance
The booster rocket, identified as tail number B1063, completed its 29th flight during Friday’s mission. This places it just two launches shy of the record for any Falcon 9 booster, currently held at 31 launches. According to reports, B1063 is the oldest booster still in operation by SpaceX, having first launched on November 21, 2020.
“This booster’s longevity is a testament to SpaceX’s engineering and refurbishment capabilities,” one analyst noted. The successful landing also represented the 162nd landing for the drone ship and the 527th overall recovery of a SpaceX booster.
Expanding the Starlink Constellation
The newly deployed Starlink satellites will join a mega-constellation already exceeding 8,800 satellites in low Earth orbit. SpaceX has deployed over 2,500 satellites so far in 2025, and plans to launch eight additional missions before Thanksgiving to add another 228 satellites to the network.
These satellites are designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to users around the globe, particularly in underserved areas. The satellites were deployed in low Earth orbit approximately one hour after launch.
Brief Delay, Continued Success
The mission experienced a one-day delay due to unspecified technical difficulties, but ultimately proceeded without issue. A company release confirmed the successful deployment of all 28 satellites.
SpaceX’s continued success with Starlink launches underscores its position as a leader in the commercial space industry. The company’s ability to rapidly deploy and maintain a large satellite constellation is transforming global connectivity and paving the way for future space-based innovations.
