SpaceX successfully launched the first batch of Starlink satellites destined for its megaconstellation in 2026 on January 4. The Falcon 9 rocket, which marked its inaugural flight, took off at 1:48 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission involved deploying 29 new broadband relay satellites, designated as Starlink Group 6-88, which reached low Earth orbit approximately nine minutes post-launch and were successfully deployed an hour later.
Confirmation of the deployment was shared by SpaceX on social media platform X. Following the launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage, known as Booster 1101, successfully returned to Earth, landing on the drone ship “Just Read the Instructions” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
As of now, SpaceX’s Starlink network boasts nearly 9,500 active satellites, significantly enhancing internet connectivity in underserved regions globally. Notably, the network has extended its services to Venezuela, providing free broadband access to the country’s residents until February 3, following recent political events there.
This launch represents SpaceX’s second mission of 2026 and brings the company’s total completed launches to 595 since its inception in 2008, alongside 555 successful landings since 2015. With each satellite added to the constellation, SpaceX continues to emphasize its commitment to expanding internet access worldwide, promising to bridge connectivity gaps for those in need.