When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
The launch of a new batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites lit up the predawn sky in southern California today (Dec. 10) as the company marked its 160th flight of a Falcon 9 rocket this year.
Lifting off at 6:40 a.m. EST (1140 GMT or 3:40 a.m. PST local time) Wednesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base's Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E), the 27 broadband internet satellites (Group 15-11) were deployed into low Earth orbit just over an hour into the flight.
"Deployment of 27 Starlink satellites confirmed," SpaceX officials posted to social media.
Previous Booster 1082 missions
USSF-62 | OneWeb Launch 20 | NROL-145 | 14 Starlink missions
The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket completed its 18th flight, landing back on the autonomous droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
The Starlink megaconstellation now numbers more than 9,000 operational satellites, including the more than 3,000 launched just this year. The network provides access to the internet to areas around the world where there was no or sparse coverage, as well as enables WiFi access on commercial airliners and cell-to-satellite service on select providers.
Wednesday's launch was SpaceX's 165th overall launch of 2025 (including Starship test flights) and the 605th mission in the company's history.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Artemis 2 astronauts arrive at Kennedy Space Center ahead of NASA's historic launch around the moon - 2Who is Artemis? Meet the Greek goddess who inspired NASA's return to the moon
- 3What an expert on the gut microbiome eats in a day
- 4Top Fascinating Organic products: Which One Might You Want to Attempt?
- 5Step by step instructions to Think about Disc Rates Across Various Banks
- Golan resident convicted of spying for Iran after passing tank movement, missile-impact data
- 10 Picturesque Campgrounds That Will Raise Your Outside Involvement with American
- Netflix's 'Lord of the Flies' show blends 'Adolescence' and 'Yellowjackets'
- Independence from the rat race: How to Save and Contribute Shrewdly
- Most loved Fish Dish: What's Your Sea Pleasure?
- Nigeria’s return to Windsor castle signals new era in UK economic partnership
- Famous Kitchen Finishing Styles For 2024
- Iran's stolen futures: The arrested Iranians at risk of execution by the regime
- Are Iraqi militias crossing into Iran to support Iran's war effort?
