Trending Now - Spacex's Starlink Network Reaches 10,000 Satellites in Orbit

WHO:

SpaceX, a private aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company.

Jonathan McDowell, a satellite tracker.

WHAT:

SpaceX launched its 10,000th active Starlink satellite on March 17th, 2026.

The company launched two batches of satellites totaling 54 units.

The Starlink constellation now consists of 10,049 satellites, with all but 10 in working order.

Since May 2019, 1,509 Starlink satellites have been launched but have since reentered Earth's atmosphere and been destroyed.

The Falcon 9 rocket missions included 34 launches in 2026 and 378 Starlink launches in total.

WHERE:

The first launch occurred from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The second launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The Falcon 9 first stage (Booster 1088) landed on a droneship named "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean.

The Falcon 9 first stage (Booster 1090) landed on a droneship named "A Shortfall of Gravitas" in the Atlantic Ocean.

WHEN:

The first launch occurred at 1:19 a.m. EDT (0519 GMT) on March 17th, 2026.

The second launch took place at 9:27 a.m. EDT (1327 GMT) on March 17th, 2026.

HOW:

The satellites were launched aboard Falcon 9 rockets, which are reusable launch vehicles developed by SpaceX.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 05:31 UTC)

SpaceX has successfully launched its 10,000th active Starlink satellite, marking a significant milestone for the company on March 17, 2026. The launch involved two batches totaling 54 satellites, with the first launch occurring at 1:19 a.m. EDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, followed by a second launch at 9:27 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9 rockets used for these missions are reusable, and the Starlink constellation now boasts 10,049 satellites, with only 10 currently out of service.