SpaceX Launches First Starlink Mission Since Satellite Anomaly
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX launched 29 Starlink satellites into orbit early Friday, marking the company's first such deployment since a propulsion issue affected one of its spacecraft last month. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 1:48 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The mission, known as Starlink Group 6-88, followed a nearly two-hour delay due to poor weather, SpaceX said. The satellites deployed successfully at 3:38 a.m. EST. This launch resumed routine operations after a Dec. 17 anomaly involving a Starlink satellite that vented propulsion tank material and generated debris.
SpaceX reported the anomaly on Dec. 18, describing it as venting from the propulsion tank on satellite 35956, which caused a 4-kilometer decay in its semi-major axis and the release of low-velocity debris. The satellite had launched on Nov. 23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, according to company records.
Imagery from Vantor, formerly Maxar Intelligence, captured the satellite on Dec. 20 using its WorldView-3 spacecraft. The 12-centimeter resolution image, taken over Alaska from 241 kilometers away, showed the satellite as largely intact, SpaceX said.
"The anomaly led to venting of the propulsion tank, a rapid decay in semi-major axis by about 4 km, and the release of a small number of trackable low relative velocity objects," SpaceX stated in a Dec. 18 social media post.
Michael Nicolls, SpaceX's vice president of Starlink engineering, provided details in a Dec. 20 update. "Imagery collected by Vantor’s WorldView-3 satellite about 1 day after the anomaly shows that @starlink Satellite 35956 is largely intact," Nicolls said. "Additional data suggest that there is a small number of trackable debris objects from the event, and we expect the satellite and debris to reenter and fully demise within weeks."
LeoLabs, a space tracking firm founded by former astronaut Ed Lu, detected the debris using radar. The company confirmed a small number of trackable objects with low relative velocity, aligning with SpaceX's assessment of minimal risk.
This launch was the first Falcon 9 mission from the Eastern Range in 2026, SpaceX said. It occurred amid the company's expansion of the Starlink constellation, which exceeded 7,000 satellites in orbit by late 2024, according to industry reports.
The Starlink Group 6-88 satellites deployed to low Earth orbit on a southeasterly trajectory. SpaceX confirmed their separation about 110 minutes after liftoff. The mission used a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, part of the company's reusable launch system.
The anomaly delayed the mission's original Dec. 19 target date, sources said. SpaceX adjusted the liftoff time to 2:25 a.m. EST before the weather-related hold.
Satellite 35956 operated at an initial altitude of about 418 kilometers before the incident, according to tracking data. Both the satellite and debris are expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere and burn up within weeks, SpaceX said.
The event highlights challenges in managing large satellite constellations. Starlink, which provides broadband internet from low Earth orbit, has launched satellites since May 2019. The network serves more than 100 countries and aims to deploy tens of thousands of units, company plans indicate.
Third-party verification aided the assessment. Vantor's high-resolution imaging and LeoLabs' radar tracking provided independent confirmation of the satellite's status and debris field.
SpaceX described the incident as low-risk, with no injuries or ground impacts.
The mission signals a quick recovery for SpaceX, which conducted dozens of Starlink launches in 2025 despite occasional setbacks.
Broader industry trends include a focus on debris mitigation. Regulators such as the Federal Communications Commission require operators to address reentry risks in mega-constellations.
The launch underscores SpaceX's dominance in reusable rockets. Falcon 9 has completed hundreds of missions, with Starlink deployments forming a significant portion.
Details on the booster's landing were not immediately available. SpaceX typically recovers first stages via droneship or return-to-launch-site methods.
The anomaly's cause remains unspecified. SpaceX has not detailed whether it stemmed from a valve failure or other propulsion issue.
Follow-up monitoring will track the reentry of satellite 35956 and its debris. Future Starlink missions could reveal any operational changes.
SpaceX continues expanding its constellation amid competition from rivals like OneWeb. The network's growth supports global internet access, particularly in remote areas.
The event ties into discussions on space sustainability. Increased low Earth orbit traffic raises collision risks, experts say.
The successful deployment of Group 6-88 satellites advances Starlink's goal of comprehensive coverage. SpaceX reported no issues during the mission's orbital insertion phase.
