SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket on October 22, 2024, marking a significant milestone by sending its 1,900th Starlink satellite into orbit. The mission, designated Starlink 6-61, lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:17 a.m. EDT (1117 UTC). This launch is part of the company’s ongoing effort to expand its broadband internet service globally.
In August 2025, SpaceX completed its ninth Starlink launch of the month alone, contributing to a total of over 1,900 Starlink V2 Mini satellites deployed into low Earth orbit across 77 Falcon 9 missions. The latest flight was projected to follow a north-easterly trajectory from Florida’s Space Coast, demonstrating SpaceX’s robust launch capabilities and commitment to enhancing satellite internet connectivity.
The launch was initially met with a favorable weather forecast. The 45th Weather Squadron indicated a 90 percent chance of good conditions at the start of the launch window, although this figure was expected to decline to 65 percent as time progressed. Meteorologists noted concerns regarding cumulus and anvil clouds due to “isolated offshore showers” near the launch time.
SpaceX utilized the Falcon 9 first stage booster 1077 for this mission, marking its 23rd journey to space. Previous missions for this booster included significant operations such as NASA’s Crew-5 and GPS III Space Vehicle 06. Approximately 8.5 minutes post-launch, the first stage booster was set to land on the drone ship “Just Read the Instructions,” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off South Carolina. A successful recovery would represent the 134th for that ship and the 497th overall for SpaceX.
According to a statement from SpaceX on August 27, 2025, its Starlink broadband service has reached approximately **7 million customers** across **150 countries** and territories. This growth reflects a significant increase from **4 million customers** just a year prior. The following figures illustrate Starlink’s rapid expansion:
– August 2025: **7 million** customers
– June 2025: **6 million** customers
– February 2025: **5 million** customers
– September 2024: **4 million** customers
– September 2023: **2 million** customers
During a recent prelaunch segment, Cornelia Rosu, the Senior Director of Starlink Production, highlighted the rapid pace of satellite production at SpaceX’s facility in Redmond, Washington. “Generally, satellite manufacturing is a very slow process,” Rosu explained. “At SpaceX, we iterate very fast and have learned how to build satellites at a rate of **70 satellites per week**.”
SpaceX plans to conduct at least **170 Falcon 9 launches** throughout 2025, primarily to support its Starlink constellation. The October 22 launch represented the **108th mission** of the year, underscoring the company’s commitment to expanding its satellite internet network.
Starlink satellites are engineered, manufactured, and operated from the United States, aiming to provide internet connectivity to underserved regions worldwide. As the demand for reliable internet access continues to rise, SpaceX’s efforts in satellite deployment play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide.
