SpaceX launches 26 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from California
SpaceX
successfully launched another batch of 26 Starlink satellites into
low Earth orbit
on June 16, further expanding its global broadband internet constellation. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at
Vandenberg Space Force Base
in California at 11:36 p.m. EDT (3:36 a.m. GMT, Wednesday) on June 16. This mission marked the rocket booster's third flight and was part of the Group 15-9 deployment. Just over eight minutes after launch, the satellites reached orbit, and final deployment occurred after a second stage burn nearly an hour into the mission. The flight also included a successful landing of the Falcon 9's first stage on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX Falcon 9's third flight with 26 Starlink satellites
The Falcon 9 booster used in this mission, designated B1093, had previously flown two Starlink missions, most recently in May 2025. After separating from the second stage, the booster executed a controlled descent and landed upright on the autonomous droneship Of Course I Still Love You, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. The successful recovery ensures that the booster can be reused for future missions, continuing SpaceX's goal of sustainable, cost-effective space launches.
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Starlink satellites join a growing internet network
The 26 new satellites are part of the Group 15-9 cluster and will contribute to SpaceX's ever-expanding
Starlink internet network
. With this mission, the number of active Starlink satellites in orbit exceeds 7,760. Though this launch did not include satellites with direct-to-cell capability, it strengthened the backbone of the Starlink system, which aims to provide
high-speed internet
globally, especially in remote or underserved areas.
Part of a bigger rollout
The launch followed closely on the heels of another Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 13. That earlier mission completed the deployment of SpaceX's first-generation direct-to-cell satellites, a technology that will allow unmodified smartphones to connect in areas without traditional cellular coverage. While the latest California launch didn't feature those satellites, it supports the wider infrastructure necessary for their function.
As SpaceX continues to deploy more satellites, the company inches closer to its goal of providing seamless internet coverage across the globe. The frequent and reliable Starlink launches from both coasts of the U.S. demonstrate SpaceX's growing dominance in
satellite internet
and commercial spaceflight, with more launches expected throughout 2025.
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Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Amazon ‘deadline' to employees, Donald Trump phone, Elon Musk's Starlink in India; Intel layoffs and other top tech news of the week
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News18
19 hours ago
- News18
What's Holding Up Axiom Mission-4 As Launch Window Closes & Crew Waits? Explained
Last Updated: With a tight timeline, further delays in lift-off could disrupt pre-scheduled July missions carrying cargo and critical supplies to the ISS, pushing back AX-4 by months The launch window for the much-anticipated Axiom Mission-4 is rapidly closing as the crew remains on standby in Florida, while National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scrambles to complete the last-minute troubleshooting on the International Space Station (ISS). The lift-off – now postponed for the fifth time in three weeks – remains without a confirmed new date. Two days before the scheduled lift-off, NASA announced that it has again decided to stand down from a launch on June 22, and target a new launch date in the coming days. While the initial air leak in the ISS's Zvezda module has already been halted by the crew on-board, NASA said it needed 'additional time to evaluate the station after recent repair work". The space station currently has seven people on board as part of Expedition 73, with four docked spacecraft — two crew and two cargo. NASA's SpaceX Crew 11 mission is also in waiting as it also planned to dock into the ISS in July. However, NASA highlighted that the AX-4 crew including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla remains on standby and 'ready to launch when the station is ready to receive them", and it continues to review the launch opportunities along with Axiom Space and SpaceX. Axiom Mission-4 has faced a string of delays – from initial weather concerns to a last-minute liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 booster that scrubbed the June 11 launch. While SpaceX has since resolved the issue, the latest setback stems from the ongoing repairs to the ISS's Zvezda module, which NASA and Roscosmos are currently addressing. The ISS was built like a Lego set, with each piece built in various countries around the world, then launched and assembled in space. Five partner agencies, Canada, Europe, Japan, NASA in the US and Russia's Roscosmos operate the ISS with each partner responsible for managing and controlling the hardware it provides. They continue to monitor it to ensure safe habitation for astronauts, carry out repairs and replacements. Over the last 25 years, ISS has hosted astronauts from multiple countries who live and work aboard it. Last week, cosmonauts aboard the ISS detected some air leaks in the back segment of ISS's Zvezda module during regular inspections. It is a core component of the Russian orbital segment, which acts as a primary living space, and provides life support. The air leak in the pressurised module was sealed immediately, but NASA said that it needs additional time to evaluate the ISS after recent repair work. 'Because of the space station's interconnected and interdependent systems, NASA wants to ensure that the station is ready for additional crew members, and it is taking that time to review data," it highlighted. The issue needs to be resolved and validated before any new spacecraft can dock with the ISS. CAN AXIOM MISSION-4 STILL MAKE IT TO ISS NOW? The tension is mounting on the space agencies, as the current launch window is available only till June 30. The lift-off possibilities are narrowing with each passing day, as it was originally designed to be a 14-day mission. There is limited time, considering further delay jeopardises the subsequent missions in July, including some carrying cargo or other essential supplies — a timeline for which is locked in months in advance. Also, ISS has limited docking ports which need to be available, especially for a private spaceflight lasting 14 days. Four ports are already occupied by spacecraft – two crew and two cargo. NASA's SpaceX Crew 11 mission is also in waiting as it also planned to dock into the ISS in July. The launch is also subject to the weather conditions at the launch site near Florida coast, as well as the ascent path of the rocket. Moreover, the four astronauts have been in quarantine for nearly three weeks, and the delay affects their mission readiness. Compounding the urgency are also the 60 carefully chosen science experiments for the 14-day mission, including the seven shortlisted by ISRO—all of which have a limited viability window. On the ground are additional challenges—technical, logistics, financial—which continue to put added strain on all space agencies involved. top videos View all ISRO, which has invested almost Rs 550 crore in this private spaceflight collaboration, has made it clear that it does not intend to take any chances. Riding on it are hopes and dreams of billions, as Gaganyaan astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to become the first Indian astronaut to enter the International Space Station. The commercial collaboration was designed so that it could provide him the necessary training and exposure in space, before India's Rs 20,000 crore Gaganyaan – maiden human spaceflight mission. ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan remains stationed in Florida with his team to oversee mission readiness, and emphasised that 'safety and mission integrity remain India's top priorities". Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Axiom Space nasa news18 specials Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 21, 2025, 08:00 IST News explainers What's Holding Up Axiom Mission-4 As Launch Window Closes & Crew Waits? Explained
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
Ax-4 launch halted indefinitely, Isro crew to return after Nasa stand-down
Just two days before its highly anticipated launch, the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) space mission has been indefinitely postponed, according to an official statement from Axiom Space. The mission, which was scheduled to lift off on June 22 has been delayed due to unresolved technical concerns and operational reassessments by Nasa. The setback has led the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to recall its two astronauts, who had been stationed in Florida for training ahead of the mission. These astronauts — Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who was the designated mission pilot, and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, the back-up crew member — are part of India's prestigious Gaganyaan mission. Speaking to The New Indian Express, an Isro scientist closely associated with the mission confirmed the postponement and said, 'As the mission has been indefinitely postponed, the astronauts will be returning. There are many technical issues which need to be addressed before the mission is launched. Since Nasa has pulled out of the mission, further communication will take time.' While Axiom Space has not provided a new launch date, the Houston-based private space company confirmed that the US space agency has stepped back from the June 22 launch timeline. In a formal statement, Axiom Space said, "Nasa has decided to stand down from the launch that was scheduled for June 22, 2025. The space agency needs more time to evaluate the ISS operations following the recent repair works in the rearmost segment of the orbital laboratory of the Zvezda service module. Since the space stations are interconnected and interdependent, Nasa wants to ensure that the station is ready for any additional crew members. More time is needed to evaluate everything." As of now, the four-person crew — which included astronauts from the US, Poland, Hungary, and India — remains in quarantine. Meanwhile, the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft are still stationed on Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission has faced a series of delays in recent weeks. Initially targeted for May 29, the launch was postponed to June 8 due to issues with the Crew Dragon module's electrical harness. It was further pushed to June 9 because of delays in Falcon 9's preparedness, and again to June 10 following poor weather at Kennedy Space Center. On June 10, during pre-launch inspections and hot-fire tests, engineers observed an oxygen leak in the engine bay, along with anomalies in one of the engine actuators. This prompted yet another shift in the launch schedule to June 11. It was during this period that both Nasa and Isro raised concerns with Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, after detecting a new pressure signature indicating an air leak in the Zvezda service module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Isro reportedly advised Axiom, Nasa, and SpaceX to carry out on-site repairs or replacements and conduct low-temperature leak tests to ensure system integrity before proceeding. Isro had initially announced on June 14 that the mission would launch on June 19. However, that date was also retracted the same day, with the agency promising to communicate a revised schedule soon. The indefinite postponement is a significant development for all the space agencies involved, particularly Isro, which had planned the Ax-4 participation as a precursor to its ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. The situation remains fluid, and all eyes are now on Axiom Space and Nasa for a clearer update on the future of the mission.
