SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket completed its 35th flight, launching 29 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base and moving closer to its reuse record.
SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Thursday, marking its 35th flight and delivering 29 Starlink satellites into low‑Earth orbit.
Mission profile and payload
The launch used a previously flown first stage that had been reflown three times before, underscoring SpaceX’s push to extend the reuse lifespan of its boosters. After a brief coast, the second stage ignited and placed the 29 satellites into a sun‑synchronous orbit, where they will join the growing Starlink constellation.
Reusability milestones
With this flight, the Falcon 9 booster moved a step closer to the company’s goal of achieving a 10‑flight reuse record, a benchmark that would set a new standard for launch vehicle economics.
Launch site and timing
The mission launched from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex 4E at 02:30 UTC, a slot chosen to align the satellites’ orbital plane with the existing Starlink network.
- Falcon 9 booster: 3rd reuse
- Payload: 29 Starlink satellites
- Launch site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, SLC‑4E
- Orbit: Sun‑synchronous, ~550 km altitude
The successful deployment adds to the constellation’s capacity to provide broadband service to remote regions worldwide.