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
Amy Poehler's podcast is a hit. It's also a Trojan horse for talking about women and aging. - 2Sea Ice Hits New Low in Hottest Year on Record for the Arctic
- 3Bismuth’s haredi draft bill won’t change enlistment, IDI expert tells 'Post'
- 4Monetary Wellness: Planning Tips for Independence from the rat race
- 5Desired Travel Objections Worldwide: Where to Go Straightaway
- The Best Games On the planet
- Nature's Treats: 10 Organic products That Lift Prosperity
- NASA troubleshoots Artemis II toilet problem in otherwise smooth flight
- British-Egyptian dissident apologises for tweets as Tories push for UK deportation
- The Response to Self-improvement: Embracing a Development Outlook
- South African radio presenter among five charged over Russia recruitment plot
- The Electric Toyota Hilux Is Finally here, But It's Not Cheap
- Self-sacrificing ants highlight the unity of their colony, say researchers
- A Colombian city swaps iconic horse buggies for electric carriages amid animal welfare concerns
