Get ready for a groundbreaking achievement in space exploration! On Thursday, SpaceX is set to launch its 11,000th Starlink satellite, marking a significant milestone in their mission to provide global internet coverage. This ambitious feat will be achieved with the Falcon 9 rocket, launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in a mid-morning flight. The Starlink 17-19 mission will add 25 more satellites to the existing megaconstellation in low Earth orbit, bringing us closer to a truly global internet network.
But here's where it gets exciting: this launch will include the 11,000th Starlink satellite, a remarkable achievement in itself. Since the first production satellites were launched in May 2019, SpaceX has been steadily expanding its constellation. With each launch, they've added more satellites, and now, they're on the cusp of reaching this impressive milestone.
The launch is scheduled for 8:42:10 a.m. PST, and Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage, so you won't miss a moment of this historic event. The rocket will follow a south-southwest trajectory, and the Falcon 9 first stage booster with tail number 1082 will be put to use. This will be the 19th flight for this booster, having successfully launched missions like USSF-62, NROL-145, and OneWeb Launch 20.
After liftoff, the rocket will aim for a landing on the drone ship, 'Of Course I Still Love You.' If successful, this will be the 174th touchdown on this vessel and the 565th booster landing to date. SpaceX has been making waves with their innovative satellite launches, and this one is no exception. With each launch, they're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration.
In 2026 alone, SpaceX has launched seven batches of Starlink satellites, adding 195 satellites to LEO. This rapid expansion showcases their commitment to making global internet access a reality. As they continue to innovate and launch more satellites, the question arises: What impact will this have on our future internet connectivity and space exploration?
