SpaceX Boosts Starlink Constellation with Latest Falcon 9 Launch
SpaceX recently launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, deploying 28 next-generation Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites into low Earth orbit. Following a successful mission, the Falcon 9’s first stage executed a flawless return, landing gently on the company’s autonomous drone ship, ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas,’ stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This launch marked the 119th Falcon 9 mission for SpaceX in 2025, designated Starlink 10-27.
A Spectacular Dawn Launch for Starlink 10-27
The Falcon 9 rocket soared into the bright, early morning skies above Florida’s Space Coast at 6:53 a.m. EDT. The Starlink 10-27 operation saw the rocket flying north-eastwards, successfully delivering 28 advanced V2 Mini broadband satellites into orbit. SpaceX confirmed that these satellites were deployed from the rocket’s upper stage approximately 64 minutes after liftoff. East Coast observers were treated to a stunning visual spectacle just before daybreak, as sunlight illuminated the Falcon 9’s high-altitude exhaust plume, creating a mesmerizing jellyfish-like cloud effect.
The Growing Legacy of Reusable Boosters and Starlink
This mission further showcased SpaceX’s commitment to its reusable Falcon rocket strategy, with the first-stage booster (B1085) embarking on its 11th flight. Just about 8.5 minutes after launch, booster B1085 made a precise touchdown on ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas.’ This particular landing marked the 125th successful recovery on that drone ship and the 508th overall landing for a Falcon booster. The Starlink 10-27 flight highlights an incredibly busy year for SpaceX; by mid-September 2025, the company had already completed 115 Falcon 9 missions and celebrated its 300th Starlink launch. The Starlink network continues its rapid expansion, now boasting over 8,000 active satellites in orbit.