SpaceX Launches 29 Starlink Satellites, Expanding Low Earth Orbit Network

A Falcon 9 rocket, having reused its first stage for the 13th time, expanded SpaceX's Starlink network by deploying 29 satellites into orbit. The launch occurred on Jan. 14, 2026, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking SpaceX's sixth mission of the year.

The first stage booster (B1085) completed its 13th flight before landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean.

This reuse count highlights SpaceX's ongoing efforts to reduce launch costs through hardware recovery and refurbishment.

The 29 satellites, designated as Starlink Group 6-98, were deployed from the Falcon 9's upper stage approximately 60 minutes after liftoff.

According to satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell, the Starlink constellation now includes nearly 9,500 active satellites in low Earth orbit.

The mission's operational focus centered on expanding broadband coverage through the incremental addition of satellites to the network.

No public statements from SpaceX officials were provided regarding the mission's broader strategic implications.