SpaceX just notched another historic achievement. On May 23, the company successfully launched 23 new Starlink satellites from California—and landed its Falcon 9 booster for the 450th time. That’s not just another number—it’s a testament to how far reusable rocket technology has come.
The SpaceX Starlink launch took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 4:36 p.m. EDT (1:36 p.m. local time). The mission, known as Starlink 11-16, was carried out using Falcon 9’s veteran booster B1075, now completing its 18th flight.
What Made This Launch Stand Out?
This wasn’t just another satellite launch. Here’s why it matters:
- Booster B1075 has now flown 18 times, supporting 14 Starlink missions
- The rocket’s Merlin engines shut down just 2.5 minutes into flight, followed by a smooth stage separation
- Around 8.5 minutes post-launch, the booster landed precisely on the “Of Course I Still Love You” drone ship in the Pacific Ocean
This marks SpaceX’s 450th successful booster landing, a huge milestone in the journey toward sustainable spaceflight.
This reusable rocket technology is a major part of why SpaceX is reshaping the economics of space.
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(Next: What’s next for Starlink satellites and how this network is changing global internet.)
