SpaceX Falcon 9 launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida 450th successful mission, booster lands on A Shortfall of Gravitas Starlink network expands to nearly 7,000 satellites globally Advertisement A batch of 23 Starlink satellites was launched by SpaceX aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on February 21. The mission, which took place at 10:19 a.m. EST, marked a significant milestone for the company, as it was the 450th flight of a Falcon-series rocket. Clear weather conditions allowed for an unobstructed view as the spacecraft ascended into orbit. The booster assigned to the mission, B1076, executed a successful landing on the autonomous droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Starlink Expansion Continues According to reports, the upper stage of Falcon 9 proceeded with the deployment of the 23 satellites into low-Earth orbit following stage separation. The latest additions bring the total number of Starlink satellites in operation to approximately 7,000. The satellite network, developed by SpaceX, is designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access across various regions, including underserved and remote locations. Milestones and Future Missions This mission represents the 21st SpaceX launch of 2025, which includes one flight of the Starship vehicle from the Texas-based Starbase facility. It also marks the 16th Starlink-specific launch of the year. Four additional Starlink missions are expected to take place before the end of February, with Starship's next test flight tentatively planned for no earlier than February 26.