KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — SpaceX successfully launched its third mission of 2025, just one week into the new year.
The company sent another batch of Starlink satellites into space on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 10:27 a.m. ET.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Backup opportunities were also available until 2:17 p.m. ET, as well as on Thursday.
Going Up
This is the third flight for the first stage booster, B1086, which previously launched GOES-U and a Starlink mission.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
About the Mission
SpaceX’s Starlink Group 12-11 mission sent 21 satellites to join thousands of others in orbit, providing internet service to many parts of the globe.
Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, tracks Starlink satellites.
Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:
6,906 are in orbit
6,218 are in operational orbit