SpaceX Launches 29 Starlink Satellites on Falcon 9 Rocket from Cape Canaveral
SpaceX set to launch 29 Starlink V2 Mini satellites on Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral; live coverage available.
SpaceX has successfully launched another set of 29 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit using its Falcon 9 rocket. The liftoff occurred from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during a launch window that opened at 3:26 p.m. EST (2026 UTC) on Thursday afternoon.
This mission, designated Starlink 6-90, marks a significant milestone for SpaceX, being the company’s 161st orbital launch of the year and its 118th dedicated flight in 2025 for deploying Starlink satellites. The mission closely follows the NROL-77 mission, which launched just two days prior, setting a new record for the fastest turnaround time for launches at the same pad.
Booster Makes 16th Flight and Historic Landing Attempt
The Falcon 9 rocket utilized for this mission featured booster B1083, which embarked on its 16th flight. This booster previously supported a variety of missions, including IM-2, Polaris Dawn, and Crew-8. Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster targeted a landing on the drone ship "Just Read the Instructions", stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. If successful, this landing would represent the 137th recovery for this particular drone ship and contribute to SpaceX’s impressive tally of 549 successful booster landings to date.
Pushing Boundaries with Starlink Deployments
The Starlink V2 Mini satellites launched on this mission are part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to expand its global satellite internet network. The company has relied heavily on its reusable Falcon 9 rocket technology, achieving remarkable launch and recovery records while demonstrating an unprecedented pace of operations.
Spaceflight Now provided live coverage of the event starting about an hour before liftoff, highlighting the company’s continued transparency and engagement with its audience.
This achievement underscores SpaceX’s relentless drive for innovation and efficiency in space exploration and satellite deployment. With this latest success, SpaceX continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in the aerospace industry while advancing its ambitious Starlink project on a global scale.
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