SpaceX marked a key moment in its Starlink rollout with the launch of 28 new satellites on Sunday evening. The event added to a record-tying September and underscored the company’s rapid ability to expand its internet service footprint.
The launch took place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 7:04 p.m. PDT and lit up the Southwest sky with a twilight phenomenon.
Many onlookers were left awed by the display, and social media buzzed with speculation before the event’s true cause was confirmed.
What made the Starlink 11-20 launch notable?
The mission carried a payload of 28 V2 Mini Starlink satellites, each contributing to the ambitious goal of bringing internet access to underserved parts of the world.
The satellites were successfully deployed approximately one hour after liftoff, further enhancing Starlink’s operational capacity and coverage region.
The twilight exhaust plume fascinated onlookers across multiple states, temporarily leading to widespread UFO reports before clarification arrived from SpaceX and astronomy experts.
From a technical perspective, this mission demonstrated SpaceX’s reliability and efficiency in executing rapid successive launches.
SpaceX planned these missions to maintain a steady cadence, which has become essential for both satellite operations and customer growth worldwide.
Did you know?
Starlink satellites use advanced ion thrusters powered by krypton for in-orbit maneuvering, krypton is less expensive and more abundant than traditional xenon fuel.
How did SpaceX tie its monthly launch record?
With the 16th mission of September, SpaceX matched its previous record for the highest number of Falcon 9 launches in a single month, a feat first achieved in May.
This sustained pace allowed the company to reach a total of 124 Falcon 9 launches in 2025 by the end of September, cementing its lead in the global commercial launch industry.
The goal of rapidly deploying Starlink satellites and expanding the service's global reach has driven much of this activity.
Despite the risks involved in such a densely packed schedule, every mission reflected the company's commitment to safety and precision.
This high frequency enables SpaceX to accelerate Starlink’s deployment and respond quickly to varying needs for internet access in different markets.
What role did Falcon 9 booster B1063 play?
Veteran booster B1063 supported this flight, marking its 28th successful mission. The booster had previously been used in major undertakings such as NASA’s DART asteroid interference test, the Transporter-7 rideshare, and NASA's Sentinel-6 ocean monitoring satellite.
On Sunday, it again landed safely on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" stationed in the Pacific Ocean, representing SpaceX's 513th booster landing overall.
This frequent reuse is central to SpaceX’s cost reduction strategy. Every relaunch demonstrates the practical benefits of booster refurbishment, which has become routine for the Falcon 9 fleet and serves as a critical foundation for SpaceX’s launch economy.
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How is Starlink shaping global connectivity?
Sunday’s mission increased the Starlink constellation to over 8,500 active satellites, now representing about 65 percent of all operational satellites in orbit.
The constellation delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to more than 6 million customers across 140 countries and territories, with many located in remote and previously underserved regions.
Starlink's rapid network growth has been remarkable in 2025, with 88 launches dedicated solely to building out the constellation.
Over 70 percent of SpaceX's launches this year have supported Starlink, highlighting its position as a core company priority.
What does SpaceX aim for next with Starlink?
SpaceX set a goal of launching 12,000 Starlink satellites for global internet coverage, but engineering teams are exploring regulatory and logistic options for further expansion to as many as 34,400 satellites.
The company closed in September on schedule, underlining plans for additional launches in the final quarter of 2025.
Upcoming Starlink missions will continue to push the limits of reusable rocketry and satellite technology.
SpaceX is betting that expanded coverage and improved speeds will keep it at the forefront of global satellite internet as it delivers access to ever more communities.
The spaceflight world is watching SpaceX’s next moves in the fast-evolving satellite internet race.
With a proven cadence and a maturing fleet, SpaceX appears well positioned to define the future of global broadband access.
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