A fresh batch of 22 Starlink mini-satellites joined the fleet, extending the satellite internet coverage SpaceX provides from space. SpaceX announced the deployment on X, noting the new satellites form part of an ongoing push to broaden satellite-based broadband access across continents and oceans. The update also conveyed that the launch had earned approvals and was proceeding on schedule. (SpaceX)
The launch occurred from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with liftoff recorded at 03:34 local time on a Saturday. About an hour later, the satellites were released into their designated orbits, marking another milestone in Starlink’s growth and its aim to deliver fast, reliable connectivity to users around the world. (SpaceX)
In a separate development, the Crew Dragon spacecraft from the Axiom Space mission, Axiom-3, completed its journey from the International Space Station and began the return to Earth. Descent through the atmosphere occurred around 16:20 local time, with parachutes deploying near 5.5 kilometers altitude as the capsule prepared for splashdown. The craft landed smoothly in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida, confirming a successful mission conclusion and a routine recovery sequence described by spaceflight officials and mission control. (SpaceX)
Earlier statements highlighted SpaceX’s continued use of reusable Falcon 9 boosters, including prior demonstrations of recovery after landing. The company has consistently framed reusability as a key strategy for lowering costs in access to space while maintaining a steady cadence of satellites launches that back the Starlink network and related experiments conducted with partner organizations in aerospace and telecommunications sectors. (SpaceX)