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SpaceX’s Latest Starlink Mission: What Does It Mean for Global Internet?

SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of satellite internet with its latest Starlink mission. On July 26, 2025, a Falcon 9 rocket successfully deployed 28 new Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, bringing the total active units to over 8,000. This launch was part of a double mission planned for the day, reinforcing SpaceX’s commitment to global broadband coverage.

SpaceX’s Latest Starlink Launch: Key Highlights
Successful Lift-Off: At 5:01 AM EDT (2:31 PM IST), a Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, carrying 28 Starlink satellites.
Precise Deployment: Just nine minutes after launch, the rocket’s upper stage reached its intended orbit. Within an hour, all 28 satellites were successfully released.
Booster Recovery: The first-stage booster (B1078) completed its 22nd flight, landing safely on the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean.

A Double Mission Day
SpaceX had two Starlink launches scheduled for the same day:
First Launch (Florida): 28 satellites deployed.
Second Launch (California): Another 24 satellites were set to launch later that night from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Starlink’s Growing Network
With this launch, over 8,000 Starlink satellites are now operational.
SpaceX is authorized to deploy up to 12,000 satellites under its current license.
The company aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet worldwide, especially in remote areas.

Recent Service Outage & Resolution
Just before the launch, Starlink users experienced a 2.5-hour global outage. SpaceX later confirmed it was due to a “failure of key internal software services.” The issue was quickly resolved, and services were restored.

Key Q&A on SpaceX’s Starlink Mission
1. How many Starlink satellites has SpaceX launched so far?
With this latest mission, over 8,000 Starlink satellites are now in orbit. SpaceX has approval to launch up to 12,000 as part of its initial phase.
2. What was unique about this Starlink launch?
SpaceX planned two launches in a single day—one from Florida (28 satellites) and another from California (24 satellites).
3. How does SpaceX recover its Falcon 9 boosters?
The first-stage booster (B1078) landed on an autonomous droneship in the Atlantic Ocean, marking its 22nd successful recovery.
4. Why did Starlink experience a global outage recently?
A software failure in core network services caused a 2.5-hour disruption, but SpaceX quickly fixed the issue.
5. What’s the ultimate goal of the Starlink project?
SpaceX aims to provide affordable, high-speed internet worldwide, bridging the digital divide, especially in underserved regions.