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
5 Wellbeing Applications Assist You With remaining Fit - 2Philippines evacuates 3,000 villagers after volcano activity raises alert level
- 3Oldest evidence of human fire-making discovered at site in England
- 4Bolsonaro discharged from hospital and placed under house arrest
- 5Figure out How to Get a good deal on Your Rooftop Substitution Venture
- Smoking rate among US adults drops to record low as vape use rises, CDC report finds
- 2025 Arctic League telethon raises more than $39k
- Burkina Faso must 'forget' about democracy, military leader says
- New studies of old dogs help scientists understand where they came from
- ISS astronaut evacuation shouldn't interfere with upcoming Artemis 2 moon mission, NASA chief says
- Rediscovering Euphoria: Individual Accounts of Conquering Despondency
- Choosing the Ideal Bed for Quality Rest and Solace
- IDF bans Android phones for senior officers, iPhones now mandatory, Army Radio reports
- Must-See Attractions in Washington, D.C.
