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
More charges filed against ex-left-wing RAF member Daniela Klette - 2Cuba fights to contain spread of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus
- 35 Different ways Macintosh is Prepared to Overwhelm Gaming, Even Against Windows
- 4How to identify animal tracks, burrows and other signs of wildlife in your neighborhood
- 5Israeli strike on Gaza City vehicle kills at least four, report says
- Ocean side Objections: Staggering Waterfront Breaks
- Sahel coups push Africa to top of global democratic declines, report finds
- Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS isn't an alien spacecraft, astronomers confirm. 'In the end, there were no surprises.'
- Dominating the Remote Work Way of life: Individual Systems
- Rick Steves' Favorite Time To Visit Spain Has Lower Prices And Fewer Crowds
- Instructions to Pick the Right Dental Expert for Teeth Substitution
- Hezbollah fires over 600 times at Israel, IDF troops over last 24 hours
- OPEC’s No. 2 Producer Burns Its Own Gas—Then Buys Iran’s
- Dr. Vinay Prasad's memo raises concerns about COVID-19 vaccines and pediatric mortality
