SpaceX Launches 24 Starlink Satellites from California

SpaceX successfully launched 24 additional Starlink internet satellites early Friday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 12:26 a.m. EDT (0426 GMT; 9:26 p.m. local time) and delivered the satellites toward low Earth orbit.

Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9’s first stage landed safely on the SpaceX drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean. This booster, designated B1082, completed its 16th flight, 12 of which were Starlink missions.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

The upper stage of the Falcon 9 continued its journey to deploy the satellites, which are scheduled to be released about 62.5 minutes after launch. This mission marks the 123rd Falcon 9 launch of 2025 and the 15th launch in September alone.

Most of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 flights this year—over 70%—have focused on expanding the Starlink satellite network. The constellation now has nearly 8,500 active spacecraft, according to astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.

Previous missions of Booster 1082 include USSF-62, OneWeb Launch 20, NROL-145, and 12 Starlink missions, demonstrating SpaceX’s continued focus on reusable launch technology.

SpaceX continues to advance its goal of providing global high-speed internet coverage through its growing Starlink constellation.