SpaceX has successfully deployed 28 new Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit as part of its latest mission, dubbed Starlink 10-18. The launch, which took place on Wednesday morning from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marked the 75th Falcon 9 rocket launch of the year and the company’s fifth successful trip to space and back.
The rocket, powered by the B1090 first stage booster, followed a north-easterly trajectory after liftoff at 1:55 a.m. EDT. The launch window had favorable weather conditions, with a greater than 95 percent chance of success, according to the 45th Weather Squadron.
After an eight-minute flight, the rocket landed safely on the droneship “Just Read the Instructions” for the 125th time and the 464th booster landing to date. This mission also marks the deployment of the company’s 9,003rd Starlink satellite, with over 1,300 launched in 2025 alone.
Currently, there are approximately 7,800 Starlink satellites remaining in low Earth orbit, according to expert orbital tracker Jonathan McDowell.
Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/06/17/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-28-starlink-satellites-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-cape-canaveral-6