Vandenberg Space Force Base in California welcomed another successful launch over the weekend as SpaceX added 20 more Starlink satellites to its growing low Earth orbit constellation. The mission, known as Starlink 8-8, featured 13 satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities, expanding the reach and capabilities of the network.

This launch came shortly after SpaceX’s recent activities, including the launch of 22 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the fourth flight of the Starship rocket from southern Texas. The rapid succession of launches highlights SpaceX’s commitment to expanding its satellite network and advancing space exploration technologies.

The Falcon 9 first stage booster, identified as tail number B1061 in SpaceX’s fleet, took flight for the 21st time, tying a company record. This booster has a history of successful missions, previously supporting astronaut missions, multi-satellite rideshare missions, and several Starlink missions.

Following liftoff, the booster safely landed on SpaceX’s droneship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You,’ marking another milestone for the company with their 92nd successful landing on the platform. The successful recovery of boosters is crucial for SpaceX’s cost-effective approach to space travel.

Michael Nicolls, SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink Engineering, highlighted the progress of the Starlink program, noting the deployment of 26 Direct to Cell Starlink satellites in May. These advancements are a significant step towards the goal of providing direct-to-cell service and expanding connectivity options for users.

In a recent tweet, Sara Spangelo, a key figure in the Starlink project, expressed excitement about the growth of the Direct to Cell constellation, highlighting the company’s collaboration with T-Mobile to offer commercial services in the near future. These developments signify SpaceX’s commitment to revolutionizing global connectivity and expanding access to reliable internet services.