SpaceX has once again made headlines by launching its 135th orbital mission of the year, deploying an additional 28 Starlink satellites to expand global internet coverage. This mission, which took off from California, underscores the company’s relentless pace in 2025 and builds on its previous successes, including the 500th Falcon booster landing during a sunrise Starlink mission.
Record 135th Orbital Mission
The 135th orbital mission of the year signifies a new record for SpaceX, surpassing previous annual totals in both frequency and reliability. This milestone illustrates the company’s operational tempo in 2025, a year marked by an unprecedented number of successful launches. The 135 missions have played a crucial role in the ongoing growth of the Starlink constellation, without any reference to unrelated prior launches.
Starlink Satellite Deployment
The mission saw the deployment of 28 more Starlink satellites, adding to the existing network for enhanced low-Earth orbit coverage. These satellites are instrumental in providing broadband internet, a direct tie to the mission’s payload. The launch contributes to the incremental expansions of the Starlink network, a testament to SpaceX’s commitment to global connectivity.
Launch from California
The launch site in California served as the origin point for the 28 Starlink satellites, emphasizing its role in SpaceX’s West Coast operations. The California facility offers logistical advantages for this specific mission, including environmental and regulatory benefits. The choice of location aligns with SpaceX’s strategy for diversified launch pads, ensuring operational flexibility and resilience.
Falcon Booster Performance
The recovery aspect of the Falcon booster is a focal point of this mission, laying the groundwork for future milestones in reusability. Starlink missions are frequent users of the Falcon system, demonstrating its reliability for satellite deployments. The focus remains on propulsion and staging mechanics, without overlapping with satellite counts.
500th Booster Landing Milestone
The 500th Falcon booster landing, which occurred amid a sunrise Starlink mission, is a significant triumph in SpaceX’s reusability efforts. The event took place on September 4, 2025, marking a key point in the year’s progression towards the record 135th mission. This landing exemplifies SpaceX’s cost-reduction efforts through precise recovery techniques, a cornerstone of its operational strategy.
Implications for Starlink Expansion
The 28 satellites from the 135th mission bolster the Starlink network’s global reach. The California launch contributes to faster iteration in satellite production and orbit insertion, accelerating the expansion of the network. The sunrise mission’s booster success serves as a model for sustaining high-volume launches, a critical factor in achieving the record 135th mission. This relentless pace of launches underscores SpaceX’s commitment to making broadband internet accessible worldwide.
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