SpaceX successfully launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on May 16. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying 26 Starlink spacecraft lifted off at 9:43 a.m. EDT, followed by the first stage landing on the SpaceX drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” just eight minutes later.
This was the second liftoff and landing for this particular booster, according to SpaceX. The upper stage continued to carry the satellites toward low Earth orbit (LEO), where they were deployed 62.5 minutes after liftoff.
The launch marks the 59th Falcon 9 flight of 2025 and is part of the ongoing Starlink network assembly efforts. With nearly 7,500 operational Starlink craft in LEO currently, this deployment brings the total number closer to SpaceX’s ambitious goal.
SpaceX has dedicated 42 missions so far to assembling the Starlink constellation, which remains the largest satellite constellation ever constructed.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-launches-26-starlink-satellites-to-orbit-from-california-video