Cape Canaveral, FL – February 21, 2025 – SpaceX moved another step closer to completing its ambitious Starlink constellation project today with the successful launch of the Starlink Group 12-14 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch, which occurred at 10:19 a.m. EST (1519 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), deployed 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), further expanding the company’s global internet coverage network. This mission underscored SpaceX’s ongoing commitment to reusable rocket technology and its goal of providing high-speed internet access worldwide.
The Launch and Mission Details
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off under favorable weather conditions, with the 45th Weather Squadron at Patrick Space Force Base forecasting an 85 percent chance of good weather for the launch window. The day was unusually cold and brisk and crystal clear. The mission proceeded smoothly, with the first stage booster separating approximately 2.5 minutes after liftoff and the second stage carrying the payload to its intended orbit. Deployment of the 23 Starlink satellites was confirmed by SpaceX roughly one hour after launch, completing the primary objective of the Starlink 12-14 mission.
This launch was SpaceX’s 15th dedicated Starlink mission of 2025 and the 16th mission this year to feature Starlink satellites. Among the 23 satellites lofted into orbit, 13 were equipped with Direct to Cell (DTC) capabilities, a technology designed to provide cellular connectivity directly to standard mobile devices without the need for specialized equipment. This feature is part of SpaceX’s broader effort to enhance global communication infrastructure, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
The Rocket: Falcon 9 and Booster B1076
The Falcon 9 rocket used for this mission is a two-stage, reusable launch vehicle that has become the backbone of SpaceX’s orbital operations. Today’s flight marked the 450th launch of a Falcon rocket overall, encompassing 439 Falcon 9 missions and 11 Falcon Heavy flights, highlighting SpaceX’s prolific launch cadence.
Powering the mission was first-stage booster B1076, a veteran of the SpaceX fleet, which completed its 21st flight and landing. This booster previously supported a variety of missions, including the Intelsat IS-40e, NASA’s CRS-26 resupply mission to the International Space Station, the Ovzon 3 satellite, and 11 prior Starlink launches. Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1076 successfully touched down on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This landing marked the 99th recovery for this specific droneship and the 411th successful booster landing in SpaceX’s history, a testament to the company’s advancements in reusable rocket technology.
Payload and Fairings
The payload for the Starlink 12-14 mission consisted of 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites, a compact version of SpaceX’s next-generation broadband satellites. These satellites are designed to operate in LEO at an altitude of approximately 550 kilometers, providing low-latency internet service. The inclusion of 13 DTC-capable satellites brings the total number of such spacecraft launched to over 450, with SpaceX aiming to double this figure by mid-2025 as part of its partnership with telecom providers like T-Mobile.
Encasing the satellites during ascent were the Falcon 9’s payload fairings, two protective halves that shield the payload from aerodynamic forces and atmospheric conditions. Following separation from the second stage, these fairings parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean, where they were recovered by SpaceX’s support vessel. While specific statistics on the fairings’ reuse for this mission were not disclosed, SpaceX has routinely reflown fairing halves, with some completing over 20 missions. This practice significantly reduces launch costs and aligns with the company’s sustainability goals.
Mission Statistics
The Starlink 12-14 mission contributes to SpaceX’s mega-constellation, which now includes over 7,000 satellites launched to date, according to orbital tracking experts. Today’s launch was the company’s 21st orbital mission of 2025, reflecting an aggressive pace as SpaceX targets between 160 and 180 launches for the year with its Falcon family of rockets. This would require a monthly average of 13 to 15 launches, a goal supported by the rapid turnaround of boosters like B1076.
The successful landing of B1076 further bolsters SpaceX’s booster reuse statistics. Of the 411 booster landings achieved to date, A Shortfall of Gravitas has accounted for 99, making it one of the most active drone ships in the fleet alongside Just Read the Instructions (109 landings).
