Vandenberg Space Force Base, California – June 5, 2025
In another stride toward global connectivity, SpaceX launched a fresh batch of Starlink satellites into orbit on Wednesday, lighting up the early morning skies over California with a dazzling show of precision rocketry.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base’s Space Launch Complex 4E at approximately 12:13 a.m. PDT, carrying 27 Starlink satellites — part of the company’s rapidly expanding broadband internet constellation.
The booster’s engines thundered into the coastal darkness, creating a glowing arc that was visible for miles. Skywatchers and space fans shared stunning photographs of the light trail, as the rocket ascended against the starry backdrop.
✨ Highlights from the Launch:
- Mission Name: Starlink Group 9-5
- Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 Block 5
- Booster Landing: Successful drone ship landing on “Of Course I Still Love You” stationed in the Pacific
- Satellite Payload: 27 Starlink satellites (Gen 2 Mini format)
- Coverage Goal: Enhancing service in North America and Pacific regions
The Falcon 9’s first stage — which had already flown on multiple missions — returned to Earth with a textbook landing on SpaceX’s autonomous drone ship just eight minutes after launch, enabling reuse in future missions.
Starlink now comprises over 6,000 operational satellites, providing high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas around the globe. With this deployment, SpaceX continues to inch closer to its vision of a fully meshed, low-latency global internet network.
📸 Visuals Captivate the Public
The event wasn’t just technically flawless — it was visually breathtaking. Amateur astronomers and photographers in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and even parts of Nevada managed to capture long-exposure shots of the rocket’s trail, with some describing it as a “celestial serpent” slithering across the night sky.
🌐 What’s Next?
This mission marks SpaceX’s 56th orbital launch of 2025, reflecting an unmatched cadence in the commercial launch sector. With future Starlink launches scheduled every few weeks, SpaceX aims to keep expanding both coverage and bandwidth capacity for users worldwide.
As the company continues to pave the way toward more ambitious missions — including Starship’s future interplanetary voyages — each Falcon 9 launch is a reminder of SpaceX’s ability to deliver both cutting-edge technology and mesmerizing moments for sky gazers.
📷 View more launch photos on SpaceX’s official X (Twitter) handle @SpaceX and community forums like Reddit’s r/SpaceX for live discussions and user-submitted images.
