CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX continued the rapid expansion of its Starlink broadband network on Saturday with the successful launch and deployment of 23 additional satellites into low-Earth orbit (LEO). The mission, conducted from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marks another milestone in the company’s efforts to build a global satellite internet constellation.

The launch occurred at 8:14 p.m. ET following a smooth countdown and favorable weather conditions. The Falcon 9 rocket used for the mission featured a flight-proven first stage booster, which successfully landed on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas stationed in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 8 minutes after liftoff.

This marks the 18th launch of this specific booster, underscoring SpaceX’s continued focus on reusability as a cost-saving measure in orbital transportation. The company has now launched over 6,500 Starlink satellites since 2019, with plans to eventually deploy as many as 42,000 in total to support global high-speed internet coverage.

According to SpaceX, the satellites deployed on this mission will raise themselves into operational orbits over the coming weeks and join the active Starlink constellation, which currently provides service to more than 70 countries.

“Another smooth ride to orbit for Starlink,” SpaceX posted on social media shortly after deployment was confirmed. “We’re proud to keep expanding global connectivity with every flight.”

The mission also comes amid reports that SpaceX is preparing to roll out a next-generation version of its Starlink satellites, designed to deliver faster speeds, better reliability, and enhanced performance in low-latency applications such as gaming and video conferencing.

SpaceX has continued launching Starlink missions at a near-weekly pace in 2025, using both Florida launch pads and its West Coast facilities at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The company remains the world leader in commercial satellite deployment, accounting for the majority of global launches in the past year.

With the constellation’s growth, SpaceX is targeting a broader rollout of its direct-to-cell technology and enterprise-grade services, including maritime and aviation internet options.

The next Starlink launch is tentatively scheduled for later this month, pending final weather and range assessments.