SpaceX deploys 28 Starlink satellites utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's launch site.
Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F Launches Successfully Amidst SpaceX's Starlink Mega-Constellation Expansion
The European satellite operator Eutelsat's satellite, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, has successfully launched from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This event took place on July 29, 2025, marking another significant milestone in the ongoing space industry activities.
The launch was carried out by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, which has been the primary choice for most of SpaceX's missions this year. This particular launch was the 22nd Starlink mission to date and the 96th mission of the year for SpaceX. After a nine-minute climb, the Starlink satellites were on track to be deployed into their intended orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage made a safe landing on the droneship "Just Read the Instructions" in the Atlantic Ocean, following the successful deployment of the satellites. The launched rocket carried 28 Starlink broadband internet satellites, part of group 10-29, and several other satellites for CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, and SES-18 and SES-19.
The CRS-24 mission refers to a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. This mission is part of the ongoing 2025 launch activity that has seen over 105 Starlink satellites launched in July alone, contributing to a rapid growth and refresh of the constellation with advanced satellites.
SpaceX's low Earth orbit megaconstellation now consists of over 9,300 satellites launched since 2018, according to satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell. The double launch on July 26-27 alone added 52 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, pushing the constellation past the 8,000 active satellites mark. After the CRS-24 launch, the current total number of active Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit is above 8,050 units.
In addition to the Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F launch, SpaceX has planned two more liftoffs this week. Another Starlink mission is scheduled for July 30 from California, and the launch of the Crew-11 astronauts to the International Space Station is set for Thursday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The latest news in space-and-astronomy involves the successful launch of Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, which was part of a multi-satellite payload carried by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. This event took place amidst the rapid expansion of SpaceX's Starlink mega-constellation, with the Starlink mission marking the 22nd launch for SpaceX this year, and the ongoing 2025 launch activity contributing to a considerable growth in the number of active Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, currently above 8,050 units. Meanwhile, technology continues to advance as SpaceX prepares for two more launches this week, including another Starlink mission and the launch of Crew-11 astronauts to the International Space Station.
