SpaceX Launches 27 Starlink Satellites from California

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. — SpaceX successfully launched 27 Starlink V2 Mini satellites on Monday afternoon, April 7, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The liftoff occurred at 4:06 p.m. PDT (7:06 p.m. EDT, 2306 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 4 East, marking another milestone in the company’s growing satellite constellation.

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The launch featured a new Falcon 9 first-stage booster designated B1091, following the introduction of another new booster earlier this year. The mission represents the 25th Starlink flight in 2025 alone. If weather conditions permit, the launch window could extend for an additional 3.5 hours.

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Approximately eight minutes after the launch, the Falcon 9 rocket will return to landing on the droneship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You,’ stationed in the Pacific Ocean. If successful, this will be the 124th landing for the droneship and the 428th overall for SpaceX boosters.

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Using a refurbishment and reuse strategy, SpaceX aims to maximize the longevity of its boosters, having revamped its approach to minimize the introduction of new boosters into its fleet. So far in 2025, SpaceX has launched only two new first-stage boosters, emphasizing its commitment to reusability.

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According to company data, SpaceX launched six new boosters in 2024, four in 2023, and six in 2022. Currently, there are 18 Falcon boosters in active rotation: 11 based on the East Coast and seven on the West Coast.

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The Falcon 9 booster B1088, which was used in a previous operation, was instrumental in launching satellites including NASA’s SPHEREx and the NROL missions. The mission not only contributes to SpaceX’s extensive launches but also integrates commercial interests in the global communication landscape.

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SpaceX has also revealed intentions for the upcoming orbital test of its Starship rocket, which is being designed for more significant missions, including the transportation of multiple astronauts to the International Space Station.

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With the deployment of the new Starlink satellites, the company now aims to enhance global internet access through its increasing constellation. A live webcast of Monday’s launch began approximately 30 minutes before liftoff and was available via multiple platforms.