SpaceX has officially crossed a major milestone in its Starlink mission, launching more than 10,000 satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) since the program began in 2019. The achievement marks a major leap in the company’s goal to build the world’s most advanced satellite internet network.
The milestone was reached on October 19, 2025, during a pair of Starlink missions launched just hours apart. One Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, while the other took flight from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. It was the Starlink 11-19 mission from Vandenberg that carried the historic 10,000th satellite, part of a batch of 28 upgraded Starlink v2 Mini units.
The accomplishment was verified by space observer and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, who tracks global satellite activity.
From 60 Satellites to a Global Network
Starlink began on May 23, 2019, with the launch of just 60 test satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.
According to tracking data:
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Over 10,000 Starlink satellites have reached orbit so far
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8,608 satellites remain active and operational
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Faulty or retired satellites are safely deorbited to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere
Transforming Internet Access Worldwide
Starlink now delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to remote areas and underserved communities across the globe. The service is currently available in around 150 countries and regions, reaching users on all seven continents.
Its growth shows no signs of slowing:
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Over 5 million active subscribers worldwide
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2.7 million new users joined in the last 12 months alone
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Widely used by homes, businesses, governments, and emergency organizations
Starlink has also entered the aviation market, transforming in-flight WiFi. Major airlines such as Qatar Airways and United Airlines have already installed Starlink hardware on select fleets to offer faster and more stable internet for passengers.