SpaceX Launches 45th Starlink Mission from Cape Canaveral

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — SpaceX successfully launched its 45th Starlink mission of 2025 with a liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1:19 p.m. EDT on Saturday. The Falcon 9 rocket deployed 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low-Earth orbit during the Starlink 12-22 mission.

The Falcon 9 rocket took off from Launch Complex 40, backed by an 80 percent favorable weather forecast for the launch window. However, weather conditions were expected to deteriorate later, with thunderstorms anticipated as the afternoon progressed.

“Isolated showers are to be expected due to the sea breeze front,” said meteorologists from the 45th Weather Squadron. “More robust thunderstorms will likely develop inland, but the initial lingering dry air will keep them from affecting the launch.”

The Falcon 9 rocket utilized booster B1069, which marked its 24th flight. This booster has a history of missions, including resupply flights to the International Space Station and previous Starlink launches. Just over eight minutes after liftoff, the booster successfully landed on the droneship, ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas,’ achieving its 110th touchdown.

This launch included 23 Starlink satellites, 13 of which support Direct to Cell capabilities. Prior to this, SpaceX placed 234 of these special satellites into low Earth orbit.

On Monday, SpaceX founder Elon Musk revealed that their next-generation Starship could attempt its first launch into Earth orbit next year. He added that Starship would conduct hundreds of missions before carrying human passengers.

Additionally, the launch date for the first lunar lander targeting the Moon’s south pole was announced by Intuitive Machines. Their Nova-C lander is now set for launch no earlier than January 12, 2024.

SpaceX’s launches reflect its continued expansion in the commercial space industry, aiming to provide internet coverage through its Starlink constellation. The company has launched over 7,000 operational satellites in its network, which is designed to offer high-speed internet access globally.