SpaceX has achieved a historic milestone, successfully completing its 500th overall mission for the Falcon rocket family. This landmark launch, conducted from California, delivered another batch of Starlink internet satellites to orbit, underscoring the company’s unprecedented operational tempo and commitment to rapid rocket reusability.
A Half-Thousand Missions for Falcon
The 500th mission lift-off occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2025. A Falcon 9 rocket, the workhorse of the Falcon fleet, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 9:54 p.m. EDT (6:54 p.m. local time). On board were 26 satellites destined for SpaceX’s sprawling Starlink broadband constellation.
SpaceX confirmed the mission’s success shortly after, announcing via social media that “Falcon completes its 500th overall mission! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team for making the impossible possible on the road to rapidly reusable rockets!”
The satellites were successfully deployed into low Earth orbit (LEO) about an hour after launch, adding to the growing Starlink network.
Proven Reusability in Action
A key factor enabling the high frequency of Falcon missions is SpaceX’s successful reusable rocket technology. For this 500th launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage booster, serial number B1081, performed a successful return to Earth.
The booster touched down precisely on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You,” stationed off the Southern California coast. This marked the 15th successful launch and landing for this specific booster, a testament to its durability and rapid turnaround capability. While B1081 has logged an impressive 15 flights, SpaceX holds the current record for reusing a single Falcon 9 first stage for 28 missions.
Building the Starlink Megaconstellation
The 26 satellites delivered on this mission contribute to the Starlink megaconstellation, already the largest satellite network ever assembled. This network currently boasts over 7,600 active satellites providing high-speed internet service across the globe.
A growing portion of the Starlink constellation, including some satellites launched in recent months, is equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. This feature allows certain smartphones and service providers to connect directly to the satellites, expanding internet access to remote or underserved areas.
Unprecedented Launch Cadence
The 500th Falcon mission highlights not just a historical count but the extraordinary pace at which SpaceX operates. This launch marked the 72nd Falcon 9 mission conducted by SpaceX so far in 2025. Of these missions, a significant 54 have been dedicated to deploying Starlink satellites.
The rapid tempo is further illustrated by subsequent launches. Less than 24 hours after the 500th mission, SpaceX launched another 23 Starlink satellites from Florida on June 13th, marking the 73rd Falcon 9 launch of the year and 55th for Starlink. That mission also featured a highly-reused booster (B1078) completing its 21st flight and landing on the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas.”
Earlier in 2025, SpaceX demonstrated other facets of its capability, including launching a record 29 Starlink satellites on a single Falcon 9 in May and achieving a record-short turnaround time for a U.S. Space Force GPS satellite launch.
Reaching 500 Falcon missions solidifies SpaceX’s position as the world leader in launch frequency and reusability, pushing the boundaries of access to space for both commercial and government customers.
