SpaceX has launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites, with 21 new satellites reaching orbit on Tuesday. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying a total of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 direct-to-phone capable satellites.
The launch marks the company’s efforts to provide space-based internet services, which are being partnered with T-Mobile for a beta test. The service will allow users to automatically connect to the internet even when no cellular network is available. The first customers have already been shown in a Super Bowl ad on Sunday.
In addition to launching new satellites, SpaceX also successfully landed its Falcon 9 rocket booster at sea. The B1077 booster made its 18th roundtrip to space and returned to Earth for a landing eight minutes after liftoff. This marks the 19th Falcon 9 launch of 2025 and 13th Starlink payload.
With this latest launch, SpaceX’s total number of operational Starlink satellites reaches approximately 6,990, according to satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell. The company continues to expand its space-based internet constellation in low Earth orbit.
This development comes as part of a broader effort by SpaceX to provide high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas around the world. The company aims to deploy thousands of satellites into orbit to achieve this goal.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-rocket-launches-21-starlink-satellites-into-orbit-then-lands-at-sea-video