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A new squadron of Starlink satellites is now orbiting Earth following a nighttime SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Florida. The mission, which took place under a full moon, further expands SpaceX’s Starlink internet constellation, aimed at providing global broadband access.
SpaceX Launches More Starlink Satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the Starlink 12-17 mission on Saturday evening, April 12th, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.
The Falcon 9 ascended from Launch Complex-39A at KSC at 8:53 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0053 GMT on April 13th), delivering 21 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO).
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 21 Starlink internet satellites to orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 12, 2025.
Booster B1083’s Performance and Landing
The first stage of the Falcon 9, identified as booster B1083, deactivated its nine Merlin engines roughly 2.5 minutes after liftoff, before separating from the rocket’s upper stage.
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Approximately six minutes following separation, B1083 executed a landing burn, achieving a controlled touchdown on SpaceX’s droneship, “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” which was positioned in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Falcon 9 rests on the deck of a drone ship at sea shortly after its touchdown on April 12, 2025.
B1083 Booster’s Flight History
Booster B1083 Missions:
- Crew-8
- Polaris Dawn
- CRS-31
- Astranis: From One to Many
- IM-2
- 4 Starlink missions
Deployment of Starlink Satellites with Direct to Cell Technology
Meanwhile, the rocket’s upper stage proceeded to LEO, carrying its payload of 21 satellites. Notably, 13 of these satellites are equipped with SpaceX’s Direct to Cell technology. This innovative system is designed to diminish cellular dead zones and expand mobile device connectivity across the globe. In the United States, SpaceX is collaborating with T-Mobile to implement this capability for their subscribers.
Approximately one hour after launch, the Starlink satellites were deployed to commence individual orbit adjustments to integrate into SpaceX’s expanding megaconstellation.
Credit: SpaceX
The Expanding Starlink Network
The SpaceX Starlink network currently comprises over 7,000 operational satellites, forming a grid that extends across almost the entire globe, excluding polar regions. Starlink delivers low-latency, high-speed internet access to users capable of receiving a satellite signal, with the network’s reach continuously expanding.
Milestone Launch for SpaceX in 2025
Saturday’s mission marked SpaceX’s 42nd Falcon 9 flight in 2025. A significant 28 of these missions have been dedicated to deploying batches of Starlink satellites to augment the constellation.