The Starlink megaconstellation now has over 8,370 active satellites with this launch. (Photo: X/SpaceX)
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit and landed its Falcon 9 rocket for the 500th time on Friday, September 5, 2025. The Falcon 9 lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:32 a.m. EDT (1232 GMT). This mission, called Starlink Group 10-57, further expands SpaceX's satellite internet network around the globe.
About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage returned safely to Earth and touched down on SpaceX's drone ship.
To mark the company’s 500th recovery of an orbital-class rocket, it was the 27th landing for this specific booster. This milestone highlights SpaceX's leadership in reusable rocket technology.
The Starlink megaconstellation now has over 8,370 active satellites with this launch. These launches also contribute to the global availability of high-speed broadband internet, especially in underserved and rural areas. After the 45-minute coast phase of the Falcon 9, the Starlink 10-57 satellites were deployed around 1 hour and 4 minutes after launch.
This launch is SpaceX’s 111th Falcon 9 mission of 2025, contributing to a total of 529 missions since 2010. The rapid launch schedule demonstrates the company’s dedication to expanding global connectivity while advancing space technology.
