SpaceX Continues Expansion with Launch of 29 Starlink Satellites

SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink broadband satellites early this morning, November 9th. A Falcon 9 rocket topped with 29 Starlink spacecraft lifted off at 3:10 a.m. EST from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The rocket's first stage successfully returned to Earth about eight and a half minutes later, landing in the Atlantic Ocean on the SpaceX drone ship named 'A Shortfall of Gravitas.' This particular Falcon 9 booster, designated 1069, made its 28th flight today, setting the stage for a potential record of 31 flights, previously achieved by Booster 1067 last month on another Starlink launch.

After the first stage's landing, the Falcon 9's upper stage continued its journey, placing the 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, with deployment scheduled for 64 minutes post-launch. The newcomers will join over 8,800 operational satellites within the Starlink megaconstellation, which is the largest network of spacecraft ever assembled.

In 2025 alone, SpaceX has completed 143 Falcon 9 missions, with 103 of those dedicated to Starlink flights. This ongoing expansion of the Starlink satellite network is integral to SpaceX's vision for global broadband coverage, a key component of CEO Elon Musk's ambition for a more connected world.

The significance of these launches cannot be understated, as they reflect not only technological advancements but also the bold and sometimes controversial maneuvers that characterize Musk's leadership and the broader ambitions of billionaires in the tech industry.