SpaceX launched its final dedicated Starlink mission from Florida’s Space Coast on Tuesday, marking the end of an era for the Falcon 9 rocket on the East Coast. The 260th such mission since 2017 carried 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral. The company will now use its larger Starship rocket for future Starlink launches from Florida, while Falcon 9 will continue supporting NASA and commercial missions at the same launch site.
The transition comes as SpaceX expands its Starlink satellite internet network. Future East Coast Starlink missions will shift to Starship, which can carry more satellites per launch than Falcon 9. However, SpaceX will still use Falcon 9 for Starlink launches from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base. Zac Aubert, founder of The Launch Pad Network, said the regular Starlink missions over the past eight years helped revitalize the Space Coast’s space industry.
Falcon 9 has been SpaceX’s primary rocket for deploying Starlink satellites since 2017, with launches becoming a common sight at Cape Canaveral. Starship, designed for heavier payloads, could allow SpaceX to deploy more satellites in fewer missions. Aubert noted the shift reflects broader changes for the region, where Falcon 9 launches had become a cornerstone of economic and technological activity.
SpaceX has not yet set a timeline for Starship’s first Starlink launch from Florida. The company remains committed to Florida as a launch hub, with Falcon 9 continuing to serve NASA and private customers. For now, Tuesday’s mission stands as the last dedicated Starlink flight from the East Coast using Falcon 9.