SpaceX launches two Falcon 9 missions in three days, adds 53 Starlink satellites

SpaceX executed back-to-back Falcon 9 launches from California and Florida, deploying a total of 53 Starlink satellites and setting a new booster reuse record.

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SpaceX conducted two Falcon 9 launches within three days, adding 53 satellites to its Starlink constellation. The first mission, Starlink 10-42, lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on July 9 at 5:25 a.m. EDT. The booster, B1067, set a new reuse record by flying for the 36th time. It first launched in June 2021 on a NASA cargo mission and has since carried Crew-3, Crew-4, and 24 Starlink batches. After stage separation, B1067 landed on the drone ship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' in the Atlantic Ocean, marking the 160th landing on that vessel and SpaceX's 635th booster recovery overall.

The second mission, Starlink 17-48, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on July 10 at 8:01 p.m. PDT. The Falcon 9 used booster B1071, which completed its 35th flight, making it the second most-flown booster in the fleet. B1071 has previously launched NASA's SWOT satellite, five missions for the National Reconnaissance Office, and five SmallSat Rideshare missions. It landed on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' in the Pacific Ocean, the 209th landing on that vessel and SpaceX's 636th booster landing.

With these two missions, SpaceX's Starlink constellation now exceeds 10,700 satellites in low Earth orbit, according to the company. The rapid launch cadence underscores SpaceX's focus on expanding broadband coverage while demonstrating the economic benefits of booster reuse. Weather conditions for the Cape Canaveral launch were favorable, with a 90% chance of acceptable conditions, though forecasters noted a slight concern for cumulus clouds and offshore showers.