Continuing its rapid pace of satellite deployments, SpaceX has added 28 more Starlink satellites to its growing constellation designed to offer high-speed internet across the globe. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex-40 on Thursday at 9:52 p.m. EDT (0152 GMT on April 25).
During this mission, known as Starlink 6-74, the satellites were vertically packed inside the rocket's nose cone and propelled into low Earth orbit (LEO) by the Falcon 9's nine first-stage Merlin engines. The powerful thrust lifted the spacecraft above Florida's Space Coast, marking another significant milestone in the Starlink rollout.
As detailed in a SpaceX mission update, the Falcon 9's first stage booster B1069 successfully separated from the upper stage approximately 2.5 minutes after liftoff. Roughly six minutes later, it performed a flawless vertical landing on the autonomous droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas”, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
“This marked the 23rd successful flight for B1069 and the 19th time it supported a Starlink mission.”
The upper stage, meanwhile, continued its orbital journey and successfully deployed all 28 satellites into LEO about an hour into the mission.
The 28 new satellites are part of the Starlink 6-74 mission, which continues to add depth and resilience to the Starlink network. With this addition, Starlink now has over 7,000 operational satellites in orbit, significantly expanding its coverage and performance.
“Starlink’s gates are inching open, as each new flight strengthens global service, and the company aims to beam high-speed internet to nearly every location on Earth, except the polar region.”
The newly launched satellites will gradually reposition themselves into their designated orbital slots over the coming days.
This launch marked SpaceX’s 47th Falcon 9 flight of 2025, showcasing the company’s ambitious tempo and commitment to expanding broadband connectivity worldwide. Out of these, 30 launches were dedicated solely to Starlink missions, emphasizing the priority SpaceX places on building out its satellite internet infrastructure.
“The timeline reflects the firm's determination to broaden satellite broadband deployment, particularly to rural and poorly served parts of the world.”
The Starlink initiative has become a cornerstone in addressing global digital inequality, and each launch makes the network more robust, reliable, and widespread.
With the 23rd successful flight and landing of booster B1069, SpaceX continues to demonstrate the immense value of rocket reusability. The cost-effective and sustainable model enables the company to conduct frequent missions without the burden of manufacturing entirely new boosters.
This capability is not just a technological marvel—it also supports SpaceX’s long-term goals for Mars colonization, deep-space travel, and Earth-based applications like Starlink.
The Starlink satellite internet service is rapidly transforming how remote and underserved regions gain access to high-speed connectivity. As SpaceX continues to deploy more satellites, the network becomes increasingly efficient, providing coverage across vast geographical areas—especially where fiber or terrestrial infrastructure is unfeasible.
“The Starlink program continues to reshape global internet accessibility, backed by the Falcon 9's proven reusability and precision recovery.”
SpaceX’s recent launch of 28 new Starlink satellites, coupled with the record-setting 23rd droneship landing of booster B1069, highlights the company’s momentum in redefining both space logistics and global internet connectivity.
The mission not only adds to a growing Starlink constellation now exceeding 7,000 satellites but also exemplifies the strength of Falcon 9’s reusable technology.
With 47 Falcon 9 launches already completed this year—including 30 dedicated to Starlink—SpaceX is on track to dramatically expand high-speed internet availability to even the most remote corners of the Earth.
As the new satellites enter service in the coming days, users around the world can expect enhanced performance, lower latency, and broader accessibility—all powered by one of the most advanced satellite networks ever created.