
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
SpaceX launched two more batches of Starlink satellites today (Dec. 17), in a pair of launches from both U.S. coasts.
First up was a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 of the broadband internet relay units (Group 6-99) into low Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The satellites were successfully deployed about an hour and five minutes after the 8:42 a.m. EST (1342 GMT) liftoff on Wednesday.
"Deployment of 29 Starlink satellites confirmed," SpaceX reported on social media.
The Florida flight's first stage booster (B1094) completed its sixth flight, landing on the "Just Read the Instructions" droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Then came 27 more Starlink satellites (Group 15-13), riding atop a Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Lifting off at 10:27 a.m. EST (1527 GMT or 7:27 a.m. PST local time), the mission was on track to deploy its payload about an hour after leaving the ground.
The California flight's first stage booster (B1063) performed its 30th propulsive landing, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.
The California flight's first stage booster (B1063) performed its 30th propulsive landing, touching down on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.
The 56 (in total) Starlink satellites launched on Wednesday add to SpaceX's megaconstellation, which now numbers more than 9,400 units in orbit. The network provides access to the internet to areas around the globe where other options for connectivity is sparse, as well as enables in-flight wifi and cell-to-satellite service on select carries.
Wednesday's dual launches were SpaceX's 164th and 165th Falcon 9 flight of the year.
latest_posts
- 1
Step by step instructions to Pick A Pre-owned vehicle Stage - 2
Eat Well, Live Well: An Extensive Manual for Smart dieting and Sustenance - 3
The top astronomical discoveries of 2025 - 4
Discovering a sense of harmony: Individual Accounts of Reflection and Care - 5
$2,000 tariff rebate checks? 50-year mortgages? Making sense of Trump's new 'affordability' proposals.
Apollo's impatient old-timers are rooting for NASA's return to the moon with Artemis II launch
Italy fertility rate fell to new low of 1.14 in 2025
This Canadian crater looks like marbled meat | Space photo of the day for Jan. 6, 2026
Born under fire: MDA delivers baby in Jerusalem minutes before rushing to shelter
Exhaustive Experiences into Prudent Senior Living in the UK
Why Cannes Is the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Destination in the South of France’s Off-Season
Europe must reinvent warfare for ‘era of shocks,’ NATO’s Vandier says
The Best Web-based Courses for Ability Advancement
Catch the moon dancing with bright star Regulus tonight













