SpaceX successfully launched 21 new Starlink internet satellites into orbit on Sunday night, but suffered a setback when its reusable Falcon 9 booster lost contact shortly after landing. The launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station was the fifth and final mission for booster B1086, which had previously flown three Starlink missions as well as the GOES-U and Maxar 3 satellites.
The first stage of the rocket returned to Earth about eight minutes after liftoff, but an off-nominal fire damaged one of its landing legs, causing it to tip over. Despite the loss, SpaceX hailed the mission as a success, using the data to improve future Falcon 9 landings.
The new batch of Starlink satellites brings SpaceX’s total number of operational satellites in low Earth orbit to over 7,000, and marks the company’s growing presence in providing high-speed internet access across the globe. With this launch, SpaceX has now completed 26 Falcon 9 missions in 2025, with 19 dedicated to its Starlink network.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/spacex-launches-21-starlink-satellites-153943506.html