SpaceX has successfully launched another Falcon 9 rocket, deploying 28 more Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission, which lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, underscores the company’s relentless launch cadence as it continues to build out its massive satellite internet constellation.

A Flawless Mission and Another Booster Landing

The mission proceeded without a hitch, with the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster successfully separating and performing a pinpoint landing on the “A Shortfall of Gravitas” droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This successful recovery marks another milestone in SpaceX’s booster reusability program, a key factor that enables its high launch frequency and dramatically reduces the cost of access to space.

Minutes after the booster landing, the rocket’s second stage reached its target orbit and successfully deployed the batch of 28 Starlink satellites. These newly launched satellites will now use their onboard ion thrusters to gradually raise their orbits to their operational altitude over the coming weeks. Each successful launch adds more capacity, coverage, and resilience to the Starlink network, which is already providing high-speed, low-latency internet to hundreds of thousands of users in over 40 countries.

Pushing Toward Denser Global Coverage

This latest deployment is part of SpaceX’s aggressive strategy to create an ever-denser global network. With thousands of satellites already in orbit, the company is focusing on filling in coverage gaps and increasing the bandwidth available in high-demand areas. This increased density is crucial for maintaining reliable service as more users subscribe, from rural households and RV travelers to airlines and cruise ships.

The rapid expansion of the Starlink constellation is not without controversy, as astronomers continue to raise concerns about the impact of thousands of satellites on night sky observations. However, SpaceX has been implementing mitigation measures, such as applying anti-reflective coatings, to reduce the brightness of its satellites. As SpaceX pushes towards its goal of a constellation comprising tens of thousands of satellites, its regular launches have become a defining feature of the modern space age, fundamentally changing the landscape of global connectivity.