SpaceX Launches Latest Starlink Mission from Cape Canaveral
by Richard Tribou
On May 14, SpaceX successfully launched its latest batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission underscores SpaceX's ongoing commitment to expanding its satellite internet service, Starlink, which aims to provide high-speed broadband to underserved areas worldwide.
Launch Overview
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 12:38 PM EDT from Space Launch Complex 40, carrying 28 Starlink satellites. This marked the fourth flight of the booster used for this mission, which successfully landed on the droneship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Significance of the Mission
This launch was notable as it was the 42nd orbital mission from the Space Coast in 2025, with SpaceX behind all but two of those launches. The facility has seen a busy year that also included a hypersonic missile test for the Army.
Alternative Launches
The remaining two orbital launches this year came from Blue Origin, which attempted to debut its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket and from United Launch Alliance (ULA) with an Atlas V rocket launch.
Future Launches
Speculations suggest that Blue Origin may attempt another launch in the spring, while ULA has plans for additional Atlas V missions, including launching Amazon's satellites as part of its Project Kuiper, which aims to deploy a constellation of over 3,600 satellites by 2028.
Statistics of Starlink and Competitors
| Company | Satellites Launched | Operational Satellites | Constellation Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpaceX | Over 8,500 | Nearly 6,700 | Not specified |
| Amazon (Project Kuiper) | 27 (as of April) | 0 | 3,600+ by 2028 |
Conclusion
With its continued launches and aggressive expansion plans, SpaceX is cementing its position as a leader in satellite-based internet services. As competition from Amazon and other entities grows, the race to fill the skies with operational satellites underscores the growing demand for global internet coverage.
2025 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
"The acceleration of satellite deployment is crucial for bridging the digital divide globally." – Jim Bridenstine, Former NASA Administrator
