SpaceX Successfully Launches 25 Starlink Satellites, Bringing Total to Nearly 10,000 in Orbit

A time-lapse photograph captured the light trail of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during the launch from Vandenberg Spaceport in California on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Source: SpaceX

SpaceX conducted another launch of Starlink internet network satellites from California. The Falcon 9 rocket launched on March 8 at 7:00 US Eastern Time (11:00 GMT) from the Vandenberg Space Force Base.

What is known

The launch took place from the Space Launch Complex-4 East (SLC-4E). About an hour after liftoff, the company confirmed the deployment of all 25 satellites in group 17-18 into low Earth orbit. They joined the global satellite constellation providing broadband internet in various regions around the world.

The rocket's first stage, named Booster 1097, completed its seventh flight. After separation, it successfully landed on the autonomous platform Of Course I Still Love You, located in the Pacific Ocean. The reuse of boosters is a key part of SpaceX's strategy to reduce the cost of space launches.

According to astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell, after this launch, the total number of active Starlink satellites in orbit increased to approximately 9,915.

This mission was SpaceX's 29th launch in 2026 and the 639th launch in the company's history.

Source: SpaceX