When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
The launch of a new batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites lit up the predawn sky in southern California today (Dec. 10) as the company marked its 160th flight of a Falcon 9 rocket this year.
Lifting off at 6:40 a.m. EST (1140 GMT or 3:40 a.m. PST local time) Wednesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base's Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E), the 27 broadband internet satellites (Group 15-11) were deployed into low Earth orbit just over an hour into the flight.
"Deployment of 27 Starlink satellites confirmed," SpaceX officials posted to social media.
Previous Booster 1082 missions
USSF-62 | OneWeb Launch 20 | NROL-145 | 14 Starlink missions
The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket completed its 18th flight, landing back on the autonomous droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
The Starlink megaconstellation now numbers more than 9,000 operational satellites, including the more than 3,000 launched just this year. The network provides access to the internet to areas around the world where there was no or sparse coverage, as well as enables WiFi access on commercial airliners and cell-to-satellite service on select providers.
Wednesday's launch was SpaceX's 165th overall launch of 2025 (including Starship test flights) and the 605th mission in the company's history.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
I watched the buzzy new AI documentary — and left feeling both hopeful and terrified - 2Cannabis reclassification could 'open the floodgates' for research, scientists say
- 3‘Grit’ and relentless perseverance can take a toll on brain health − particularly for people facing social stresses like racism
- 4Best Internet based Course for Learning Another Dialect: Which Stage Do You Like?
- 5Congress is running out of time to extend ACA subsidies as the GOP moves on to an alternative plan. Here's where things stand.
- Moldova says Russian drones violated airspace
- Wait, it's 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'? Why the new HBO series name is significant to Americans
- 23 Most Amusing Messages At any point Sent Among Youngsters and Their Folks
- Language Learning Stages: Which One Gets Your Vote?
- Posts falsely claim Malaysian minister to relocate public hospital for temple
- 13 must-see moon events in 2026: Eclipses, supermoons, conjunctions and more
- A Manual for SUVs with Less Noteworthy Gas Mileage
- IAF intercepts over 90% of drones launched by Iran, Hezbollah during Operation Roaring Lion
- Smuggler who called migrants 'chickens' jailed
