SpaceX successfully launched another set of 26 Starlink satellites early Friday morning from California, marking a significant milestone as the company has now deployed over 1,000 broadband internet satellites this year alone.
The Starlink 15-5 mission took off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 6:43 a.m. PDT. Notably, this launch represents the 20th orbital mission conducted from California in 2023. The mission was undeterred by a wildfire in the vicinity of the launch location, which was contained after burning across 27 acres and did not impact the operations.
The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage booster, designated B1093, successfully completed its second flight, having previously launched just 39 days prior during the Starlink 11-11 mission. Approximately eight minutes post-launch, B1093 made a successful landing on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’, marking the 130th landing on that ship and the 448th successful booster recovery overall, showcasing SpaceX’s continued advancements in reusable rocket technology.
SpaceX later confirmed that the 26 optimized Starlink satellites separated successfully from the rocket roughly an hour after liftoff, adding to their growing constellation aimed at providing global broadband service.
This launch underscores SpaceX’s commitment to expanding satellite internet access worldwide, presenting a hopeful prospect for global connectivity as the demand for reliable internet continues to grow.