SpaceX's Falcon 9 launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg on January 21, 2025 Highlights Falcon 9 successfully launches 27 Starlink satellites Booster lands on drone ship marking 10th flight recovery Starlink Group 11-8 mission optimises satellite design Advertisement A Falcon 9 rocket, operated by SpaceX, was launched on January 21, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, delivering 27 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission began at 10:45 a.m. ET, with the Falcon 9's first stage returning to Earth roughly eight minutes later. The booster landed on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You," stationed in the Pacific Ocean, marking its tenth successful flight and recovery. 27 Starlink satellites deployed into orbit According to SpaceX, the Falcon 9's upper stage carried the satellites into their designated orbit, deploying them 61.5 minutes after liftoff. This batch is part of the Starlink Group 11-8 mission. As reported by space.com, the satellites include enhanced V2 Mini models that are lighter by 22 percent, with improved propulsion, power systems and a dual-band chip named Doppio, designed in-house by SpaceX. Details of the mission and impact on nearby regions This launch marked the 10th mission for this Falcon 9 booster, which had previously supported eight Starlink missions, along with the OneWeb 4 and USSF-62 launches. Residents near Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties were advised of potential sonic booms during the launch, though local experiences depended on weather conditions.