A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket made history on December 8, 2025. Its first stage booster completed its 32nd flight. This sets a new reusability record for the company.
The rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Lift-off happened at 5:26 p.m. EST. The mission carried 29 Starlink internet satellites to low Earth orbit.
Launch and Landing Details
The launch was originally scheduled for December 7. It was delayed due to poor weather conditions.
About two and a half minutes after launch, the first stage separated. The booster, named B1067, then returned to Earth. It landed successfully on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. The droneship is named Just Read the Instructions.
The rocket’s upper stage continued into orbit. It performed a second engine burn. This placed the 29 Starlink satellites into their intended orbit. Satellite deployment occurred about one hour after launch.
A Growing Satellite Network
This mission added to the massive Starlink constellation. SpaceX states the network now has over 9,100 working satellites. These satellites provide global broadband internet.
They connect remote areas, support in-flight Wi-Fi on planes, and enable satellite-linked cellular service.
Record-Setting Booster
Booster B1067 is now the most-flown rocket stage in history. Its previous flight was in October 2025. That mission launched 28 Starlink satellites.
The 32nd flight marks a major milestone in rocket reusability. Reusing the most expensive part of the rocket drastically cuts launch costs. SpaceX’s business model depends on this technology.
The Falcon 9’s first stage is designed for many flights. The upper stage is not reused and is discarded after each mission.
Falcon 9’s Busy Year
This was the 158th Falcon 9 launch of 2025. It was also the 510th time a Falcon 9 first stage has been reflown since 2017.
Just one day before, on December 7, another Falcon 9 launched. It carried 29 more Starlink satellites from California. These back-to-back launches show SpaceX’s rapid launch pace.
Falcon 9 Rocket Facts
The Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket built by SpaceX.
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Height: 70 meters (230 feet)
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Diameter: 3.7 meters (12 feet)
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It can carry up to 22,800 kg to low Earth orbit.
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It has flown 573 total missions.
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Its boosters have landed 527 times and been reflown 492 times.
This record flight proves the reliability of SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology. It also supports the continued expansion of the Starlink global internet system.