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.

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