SpaceX Adds 25 Starlink Satellites to Expanding Constellation

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket achieved its 13th successful landing while expanding the Starlink constellation to 9,500 satellites.

The launch occurred on January 22, 2026, from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 12:47 a.m. EST (0547 GMT; 9:47 p.m. local California time on January 21). Booster 1093, which completed its 13th flight, landed on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' in the Pacific Ocean.

The mission deployed 25 Starlink satellites, bringing the constellation's active satellite count to 9,500. SpaceX confirmed the deployment via social media, stating, 'Deployment of 25 Starlink satellites confirmed.'

This launch marks SpaceX's 9th of 2026 and the 592nd overall since 2010. The satellites provide internet access to underserved regions, commercial aviation, and emergency cell-to-satellite services.

According to mission data, the Falcon 9's first stage has now flown 13 times, surpassing previous reuse records for orbital-class rockets.

The Starlink constellation's expansion supports both commercial broadband services and emergency communication networks, though the long-term environmental and orbital debris implications remain under study by independent research groups.