SpaceX hits 600th Falcon booster reuse on Starlink launch today
SpaceX carried out a rocket launch today from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending 29 Starlink satellites on a flight-proven Falcon 9 and marking the 600th reuse of a Falcon rocket booster on the Starlink 10-45 mission, Florida's 47th Falcon 9 launch this year. Liftoff came at 5:10 a.m. ET from Launch Complex 40, with booster B1080 flying on a northeast trajectory before targeting a landing on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceX launched Starlink 10-45 at 5:10 a.m. ET Tuesday from Cape Canaveral, reaching the 600th flight of a reused Falcon booster.
- Booster B1080 flew its 28th mission after supporting Axiom crew flights, ESA's Euclid observatory, and Northrop Grumman's NG-21.
- The mission added 29 broadband satellites toward a constellation of more than 10,700 spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
- No sonic booms were expected on Florida's Space Coast because the first stage was slated to land at sea.
- The flight was Florida's 47th Falcon 9 launch of 2026, part of SpaceX's steady Starlink deployment pace.
Why does the 600th Falcon booster reuse matter?
Spaceflight Now reported that Tuesday's flight would be the 600th time SpaceX has flown a previously used Falcon first stage. That reuse record is central to how the company keeps launch costs down and maintains its rapid flight rate from Florida and other pads.
Booster B1080 is a veteran of high-profile missions. Spaceflight Now noted it had already flown two Axiom Space crew missions, ESA's Euclid observatory, and Northrop Grumman's NG-21 cargo flight before this Starlink run.
Nearly 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1080 was set to land on A Shortfall of Gravitas. If successful, Spaceflight Now said it would be the 161st touchdown on that vessel and the 638th booster landing in company history.
When and where was the rocket launch today?
Florida Today said liftoff was set for no earlier than 5:10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 14, from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX had a backup window until 7:15 a.m. ET if weather or technical issues arose.
Spectrum News 13 reported the overall launch window opened at 3:15 a.m. ET. The target time shifted several times on Monday, from 4:21 a.m. to 4:27 a.m. before settling on 5:10 a.m., according to the station.
The Falcon 9 followed a northeast trajectory after liftoff, Florida Today reported. Observers north of the Space Coast could have had a view depending on local conditions.
What was aboard Starlink 10-45?
All three sources agreed the mission carried 29 Starlink satellites bound for low Earth orbit. Spaceflight Now said the flight would expand SpaceX's broadband internet constellation, which already included more than 10,700 spacecraft on orbit.
Florida Today noted the launch was SpaceX's 47th Falcon 9 mission from Florida in 2026, underscoring how routine these Starlink deliveries have become. For more fast-moving science and tech headlines, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Could spectators see a jellyfish effect?
Spectrum News 13 said there was a good chance of the jellyfish effect if the launch slipped closer to dawn, which was expected around 6:11 a.m. ET. The phenomenon occurs when a rocket's exhaust plume catches sunlight while the ground is still dark, creating a glowing cloud in the sky.
Spectrum News 13 also reported the 45th Weather Squadron gave a 10% to 5% chance against liftoff, with thick cloud layers as the main concern. Florida Today confirmed no sonic booms were expected in Brevard County because the booster was aimed at a droneship landing offshore.
Spaceflight Now provided live mission coverage beginning about an hour before liftoff, while Florida Today's Space Team planned updates 90 minutes ahead of the countdown.