Title: SpaceX Achieves 160th Falcon 9 Flight of the Year with Starlink Satellite Launch
In a momentous feat, SpaceX has launched its 160th flight of the Falcon 9 rocket within the year, further solidifying its position as a global leader in space exploration and innovation. The recent launch, which took place at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California on December 10, 2025, successfully deployed 27 Starlink satellites into orbit.
Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, aims to create a constellation of small, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed internet service to every corner of the globe. This latest batch of 27 satellites is part of a broader mission to improve internet connectivity and accessibility worldwide.
The Falcon 9 rocket, the workhorse of SpaceX’s fleet, has proven its reliability and reusability across a myriad of missions. Its 160th flight this year not only underscores the company’s rapid pace of launches but also its commitment to achieving its ambitious goals.
For those who might have missed it, the Falcon 9’s ascent was nothing short of a spectacle. The rocket, with its payload of Starlink satellites, pierced the clear California sky, leaving a stream of white smoke in its wake as it made its journey into space. Spectators watched with bated breath as the first stage booster separated and began its descent back to Earth, destined for a successful landing on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
This successful landing is a testament to SpaceX’s innovative approach to space travel, demonstrating the viability of reusable rocket technology. By recovering and reusing rockets, SpaceX is not only reducing the cost of space travel but also mitigating environmental impacts.
The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Station marks another successful collaboration between SpaceX and the U.S. Space Force. This partnership showcases the potential for public and private sectors to work together in advancing our understanding of space and developing technology to harness its potential.
As the 160th Falcon 9 flight of the year, this launch exemplifies SpaceX’s commitment to rapid and sustained progress in the field of space exploration. This pace, coupled with the company’s ambitious plans for future missions, including those to Mars, further cements SpaceX’s position as a leading player in the new age of space exploration.
The successful deployment of the 27 Starlink satellites also brings SpaceX one step closer to achieving its goal of global internet coverage. While the full realization of this vision is still on the horizon, each successful launch brings us closer to a future where high-speed internet is universally accessible, regardless of location.
SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, driving forward the next chapter of space exploration with each successful Falcon 9 flight. As we look forward to the company’s future endeavors, one thing is clear: the sky is not the limit for SpaceX.
Read more from the original source here: [https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-starlink-15-11-b1082-vsfb-ocisly](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-starlink-15-11-b1082-vsfb-ocisly).