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SpaceX successfully deployed its latest batch of Starlink internet satellites on Monday, April 7th, with a Falcon 9 rocket making its inaugural flight. The launch occurred in the afternoon from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the U.S. West Coast. This mission bolsters the rapidly growing Starlink network, designed to provide global high-speed internet access.
SpaceX Launches New Falcon 9 Rocket with Starlink Satellites
The first-stage booster, presumed to be designated B1091, marked the second newly constructed rocket launched by SpaceX this year, both dedicated to Starlink missions. This mission, identified as Starlink 11-11, initiated its ascent from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 7:06 PM EDT (2306 GMT), delivering 27 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO).
Inaugural Flight for Falcon 9 Booster
This Falcon 9 launch featured a booster that had not previously been utilized, highlighting SpaceX’s continuous production and deployment of new rockets alongside their renowned reusable fleet. While SpaceX increasingly relies on its refurbished boosters, missions such as this demonstrate the ongoing manufacturing of new hardware to support the expanding launch cadence.
Successful Landing and Satellite Deployment
Approximately eight minutes post-launch, B1091 accomplished its descent back through Earth’s atmosphere. The booster executed a controlled landing burn, employing three of its nine Merlin engines, and successfully landed on SpaceX’s “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Simultaneously, the Falcon 9’s upper stage proceeded with its trajectory to LEO, carrying the 27 Starlink payloads. Roughly one hour into the mission, the satellites were deployed, commencing their individual maneuvers to achieve their designated positions within SpaceX’s expanding Starlink constellation.
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Reusable Rocket Technology
The deployment of a brand-new Falcon 9 rocket is becoming increasingly infrequent as SpaceX refines its capabilities in recovering, refurbishing, and redeploying its pioneering reusable rocket technology. These new boosters are easily distinguishable by the absence of charring and soot, typically accumulated during atmospheric reentry; they present a pristine, white appearance on the launch pad.
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SpaceX’s Starlink network presently encompasses over 7,000 operational satellites, forming a global grid in Earth orbit. Starlink delivers low-latency, high-speed internet access to users with suitable satellite signal reception.
Today’s mission marked the 40th Falcon 9 launch for SpaceX in 2025. A significant portion, 27 of these missions, were specifically dedicated to the expansion of the Starlink constellation.