Early, on 16th October, SpaceX sent 28 more Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted from Cape Canaveral and, about an hour later, the upper stage released the new craft into their target orbit. This flight added another small cluster to the company’s growing internet constellation and ended with the booster returning to sea on a drone ship.
What Happened During the Launch
A Falcon 9 carrying 28 Starlink V2 Mini satellites launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. Reports list the liftoff time as either about 5:27 a.m. EDT (0927 UTC) or 5:57 a.m. EDT (0957 UTC); the small difference comes from early live updates and later official timing. Either way, the deployment of the satellites occurred roughly 64 minutes after liftoff.
SpaceX identifies missions by group names; this flight was listed as a Starlink group launch (Starlink 10-52 in company materials). The payload was a batch of V2 Mini satellites, the smaller, modern Starlink model SpaceX has been flying regularly.
The Falcon 9’s first stage, designated booster B1095, separated after the usual first-minute burn and returned to land upright on the drone ship Just Read The Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean. That landing happened about 8½ minutes after liftoff and marked the booster’s third flight. The upper stage then coasted and completed a timed burn to set up the satellite deployment.
SpaceX missions to the constellation use a routine pattern: reusable first stage, upper-stage coast, and a carefully timed satellite release. The company’s public mission page and live coverage provide the official timeline and status updates used by trackers and reporters.
How Starlink Satellites Expand Global Internet Coverage
Each new cluster of Starlink satellites expands the network that provides internet service from low Earth orbit. The V2 Mini models are built to deliver bandwidth and to be relatively compact for mass launches. Over many flights, these small batches build up the capacity and coverage that let users connect from remote locations and urban areas alike. Public tracking by astronomers and news outlets lists the total on-orbit Starlink count in the many thousands after this flight.
The satellites will go through automated checks after deployment, then use onboard thrusters to reach their operational slots and orientations. From there they begin routine network tasks: beaconing to ground stations, adjusting orbits as needed, and joining the mesh of satellites that relay internet data.
This flight was part of a heavy tempo for Falcon 9 this year. News coverage notes that the Falcon 9 reached roughly 130 flights in 2025 by the time of this mission, with more than 90 of those flights supporting Starlink deployments. That pace reflects how central the satellite program is to SpaceX’s launch schedule.
The use of a previously flown booster again illustrates SpaceX’s routine reuse approach. Reusability keeps launch cadence high while trimming hardware cost per mission. Recovering a booster on a drone ship and reusing it multiple times has become standard for the company.
Short Timeline (Quick Reference)
- Pad: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral.
- Liftoff window reported: ~5:27 a.m. EDT (0927 UTC) or ~5:57 a.m. EDT (0957 UTC).
- Payload: 28 Starlink V2 Mini satellites.
- Deployment: ~64 minutes after liftoff.
- Booster: B1095, third flight; landed on Just Read The Instructions.
Common Questions, Answered Plainly
Are these satellites already providing service?
Not immediately. After deployment they run through checks and maneuvering before they join service. Expect hours to days for basic testing; weeks for full operational placement.
Does each launch add hundreds of satellites?
No. Typical Starlink Falcon 9 flights carry a few dozen satellites. Over many launches those dozens add up into the thousands. This particular flight added 28 craft.
Is this risky for other spacecraft or for people on the ground?
Launches are planned with safety corridors and regulatory approvals. Satellites include deorbit plans to reduce long-term debris. Agencies and companies track objects to avoid collisions. News coverage and official notices give details used by observers and other operators.
What to Watch Next
Expect more Starlink flights through the rest of the year. Watch for updates on satellite batches, changes in satellite models, or shifts in mission cadence. Technical updates from SpaceX and reporting from specialist outlets are the quickest way to see how the constellation grows and how Starlink’s hardware evolves.
Conclusion
SpaceX’s predawn flight added 28 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, used a reused Falcon 9 booster that landed at sea, and followed the now-familiar pattern of launch, coast, and timed deployment. Each short mission is one step in a larger, ongoing effort to populate a global satellite network. For daily updates and the official mission timeline, check SpaceX’s launch page and the space news coverage that follows each flight.
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