SpaceX achieves 125th Falcon 9 launch milestone with 28 Starlink satellites

SpaceX has marked another remarkable achievement by completing its 125th Falcon 9 rocket launch of the year. The latest mission, which took off on October 4, 2025, from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base at 10:06 am EDT (7:36 pm IST), carried a payload of 28 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). This launch underscores the company's ongoing efforts to expand its satellite internet constellation.

Reusable rocket success

In addition to successfully deploying the payload, the mission saw the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket return to Earth safely. The booster, designated B1097, landed on SpaceX's droneship, "Of Course I Still Love You", stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the second flight and landing for this particular booster, which had previously been used in another Starlink mission.

Starlink: A growing presence in orbit

Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet project, has become the central focus of the company's launches. Over 70% of Falcon 9 missions in 2025 have been dedicated to building this constellation. Currently, there are more than 8,500 active Starlink satellites orbiting Earth, making it the largest satellite constellation ever assembled.

To put this into perspective, the European Space Agency has reported that there are approximately 12,500 operational satellites of any kind in orbit today. This means that Starlink satellites now account for two out of every three functioning spacecraft in space, a proportion that is expected to continue growing.

A milestone year for SpaceX

With 125 launches completed in just over nine months, SpaceX's Falcon 9 program continues to set benchmarks for the space industry. As the company adds to its growing list of accomplishments, each mission serves as a testament to its innovative approach and relentless pursuit of ambitious goals.

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