Falcon 9 lifts off from Vandenberg, deploying 26 Starlink satellites to boost global internet coverage
SpaceX launched 26 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) on Monday evening, June 16, from California, pushing the boundaries of global internet coverage even further.
The launch took place at 8:36 p.m. PDT (which is 11:36 p.m. EDT or 0336 GMT on June 17) from the Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The mission marked the third flight of a relatively fresh Falcon 9 rocket, and it performed like a seasoned champion.
Just eight and a half minutes after liftoff, the Group 15-9 satellites had already reached low Earth orbit, according to SpaceX’s official website. The deployment of these satellites was timed to occur after a second burn of the Falcon 9’s upper stage, planned for about an hour into the mission.
Meanwhile, the rocket’s first stage known by its serial number B1093 completed a flawless landing on the Pacific-based droneship “Of Course I Still Love You”. This booster had previously flown in May, and this launch marked its third Starlink mission yet another success for SpaceX’s reusable rocket program.
Recent Milestone Builds Momentum
Monday’s mission came hot on the heels of another Starlink deployment just three days earlier, on Friday, June 13, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. That mission, labeled 12-26, was a major milestone; it completed the first-generation direct-to-cell constellation.
In simple terms, direct-to-cell technology allows regular, unmodified smartphones to connect to satellites, enabling mobile connectivity in areas where traditional networks fail. As SpaceX highlighted in a post:
“Working with cellular providers around the world, direct to cell enables unmodified cellphones to have connectivity in the most remote areas.”
However, the June 16 launch did not include direct-to-cell satellites. Instead, it was focused on expanding the overall Starlink broadband internet network, which has now grown to more than 7,760 active satellites, a staggering number reflecting the scale and ambition of the project.
What It All Means
With this mission, SpaceX not only reaffirmed its dominance in satellite deployment but also strengthened the backbone of its global internet service. Each new batch of satellites improves speed, coverage, and reliability, bringing the dream of universal, high-speed internet access closer to reality.
And while Monday’s mission may not have carried direct-to-cell units, it added serious firepower to the Starlink infrastructure setting the stage for even more revolutionary launches in the near future.
One thing is certain: with every flight, SpaceX isn’t just reaching for the stars, it’s connecting the world.
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