SpaceX successfully launched 27 of its Starlink internet satellites towards low Earth orbit from California on April 3. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Starlink craft lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 9:02 p.m. EDT, followed by a smooth landing of the first stage on a SpaceX drone ship in the Pacific Ocean.
The launch was part of SpaceX’s efforts to build out its Starlink megaconstellation, with the company having launched 38 Falcon 9 missions so far in 2025. The satellite network currently consists of over 7,100 operational spacecraft, making it the largest satellite network ever assembled.
According to astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, this launch marks another step towards providing global internet connectivity through space-based technology. If all goes according to plan, the Falcon 9’s upper stage will deploy the Starlink satellites about an hour after liftoff.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-launches-27-starlink-satellites-to-orbit-from-california