🚀 Falcon 9 | 🛰 Starlink Group 12-19
Launch date: June 3, 2025 04:43 UTC
Payload: Starlink Group 12-19
Location: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Vehicle: Falcon 9
On June 3, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched 23 Starlink satellites (Group 12-19), including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The Falcon 9 lifted off at 12:43 a.m. ET under cloudy weather, marking the booster’s 21st flight. The booster previously supported several key missions and landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. The mission faced weather and space weather constraints, including a delay due to a coronal mass ejection, but proceeded after rescheduling. This launch expanded the Starlink constellation to over 7,600 satellites in orbit, further strengthening global connectivity. Live coverage was provided on SpaceX’s X account and the X TV app.
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SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA
Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) is a historic launch site located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Built in the 1960s, it was originally used for Titan III and Titan IV launches, supporting a variety of military, intelligence, and interplanetary missions. After a period of inactivity, SpaceX leased and extensively modified SLC-40 in the 2000s to launch Falcon 9 rockets.
Since becoming operational for SpaceX in 2010, SLC-40 has become a principal hub for commercial, governmental, and crewed missions aboard Falcon 9. The pad has seen dozens of launches annually, significantly contributing to America’s presence in space exploration, satellite deployment, and servicing the International Space Station.