SpaceX Launches 10,000th Starlink Satellite on Record 31st Falcon 9 Flight
SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites, reaching its 10,000th in orbit; Falcon 9 booster flies 31st mission.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, achieved two significant milestones on Oct. 19 with the successful launch of 28 Starlink satellites aboard its Falcon 9 rocket. This mission marked the deployment of the company’s 10,000th Starlink satellite and set a record for the Falcon 9 booster, which completed its 31st mission.
10,000 Starlink Satellites Now in Orbit
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:52 a.m. EDT, carrying the latest batch of 28 Starlink broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. According to satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell, this launch brought the total number of Starlink satellites deployed by SpaceX to 10,000, a major milestone in the company’s ambitious plan to provide global broadband coverage.
Falcon 9 Booster Achieves Record-Breaking 31st Flight
The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket, Booster 1067, set a new record for SpaceX by completing its 31st mission. The booster landed successfully on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. This achievement underscores SpaceX's emphasis on reusability, a key element in reducing the cost of space travel.
"Each successful landing and reuse helps lower costs and increase access to space", SpaceX stated in a mission update.
The rocket's upper stage deployed the 28 satellites approximately 64 minutes after liftoff, adding to the existing operational Starlink constellation of roughly 8,610 satellites that currently provide internet services around the world.
Starlink Under Scrutiny Amid Expansion
While SpaceX continues to expand its Starlink network, the company is facing scrutiny over its operations. A bipartisan U.S. Congressional committee recently launched an investigation into allegations that Starlink services were used to support scam centers in Myanmar. Satellite images and drone footage reportedly showed the use of Starlink technology at heavily guarded compounds near the Thailand-Myanmar border, which were allegedly involved in defrauding billions of dollars.
The investigation, led by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, may result in Elon Musk being called to testify.
Despite these challenges, Starlink has continued to grow its global presence. Earlier this month, the company announced the rollout of direct-to-cell technology for T-Mobile US subscribers, enabling continuous video calls, messaging, and data services across five continents. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell confirmed that the service offers connectivity for voice, video, and data on a global scale.
In August, Starlink reported reaching 7 million customers worldwide across 150 territories, having added 1 million new users in just two months - a growth rate of about 12,200 customers per day.
Conclusion
With its 10,000th satellite now in orbit and the Falcon 9 booster achieving a record 31 flights, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space technology and connectivity. However, as the company expands its Starlink network, it faces growing scrutiny over the ethical and regulatory implications of its operations. For now, SpaceX’s technological advancements remain a central force in shaping the future of global internet access and reusable spaceflight.
Comments ()