SpaceX has added 28 more Starlink satellites to its growing global broadband network after completing a new Falcon 9 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on December 4, 2025. The rocket lifted off at 12:42 p.m. PST and reached orbit smoothly, further cementing SpaceX’s rapid launch cadence and reuse capabilities. The mission also marked the company’s 156th Falcon 9 flight of the year, highlighting a pace unmatched in the global space industry.
Roughly eight and a half minutes after launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage successfully landed on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This booster had already flown three previous missions, and its fourth return further showcases SpaceX’s focus on reusable rocket technology. According to the U.S. Space Force, the mission, designated Starlink 11-25, deployed all 28 satellites into low Earth orbit from the rocket’s upper stage.
The Starlink program continues to expand rapidly as SpaceX works to build a global low-latency internet network capable of reaching remote and underserved regions. With nearly 9,000 satellites already launched and authorization for up to 42,000 in total, the constellation is one of the most ambitious technology infrastructure projects ever undertaken. The newest satellites will join thousands already circling Earth to support high-speed internet access across continents.
While the project has been praised for its transformative connectivity goals, astronomers have raised concerns about satellite visibility and the increased risk of orbital collisions. SpaceX continues to explore mitigation strategies even as it pushes forward with its aggressive launch schedule.
With each successful mission, including this latest deployment from California, SpaceX reinforces both its leadership in commercial spaceflight and its commitment to building a global communications network in orbit.
