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WATCH: SpaceX Successfully Launches Falcon 9 Rocket Carrying Starlink Satellites from Cape Canaveral

By  //  March 15, 2025

mission lifted off at 7:35 a.m. ET

WATCH: SpaceX Successfully Launches Falcon 9 Rocket Carrying Starlink Satellites from Cape Canaveral

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – SpaceX successfully launched another batch of Starlink satellites aboard its Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday morning, further advancing global internet connectivity. The mission lifted off at 7:35 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

This latest deployment included 23 Starlink satellites, 13 of which are equipped with Direct to Cell capabilities, a technology designed to provide satellite-based cellular connectivity worldwide. The innovation aims to bridge connectivity gaps, enabling users to send texts and, eventually, make calls and access data services in areas without traditional cell coverage.

A Veteran Falcon 9 Booster Reaches 18 Flights

The Falcon 9 booster supporting this mission achieved a remarkable milestone, completing its 18th launch and landing. The first-stage booster had previously supported notable missions, including:

  • Crew-6 – Transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS)
  • SES O3b mPOWER-B – Delivering satellites for global broadband services
  • USSF-124 – A classified mission for the United States Space Force
  • Bluebird 1-5 – Deploying a satellite constellation
  • 14 previous Starlink missions – Expanding SpaceX’s global satellite internet network

Following stage separation, the Falcon 9 first stage successfully landed on a SpaceX drone ship, marking another step in the company’s ongoing efforts to reuse rocket hardware, reducing the cost of spaceflight.

Strengthening the Starlink Network

With this latest launch, SpaceX continues to expand the Starlink constellation, which now consists of thousands of satellites providing high-speed internet access across the globe. The addition of Direct to Cell satellites further enhances Starlink’s vision of offering connectivity even in the most remote areas.

As SpaceX moves forward, the company plans to launch more Direct to Cell-enabled satellites, eventually supporting voice, data, and IoT device communications directly from space.

This mission underscores SpaceX’s commitment to revolutionizing global connectivity and pushing the boundaries of spaceflight technology.