SpaceX's Most-Flown Falcon Booster to Launch on Record 33rd Flight

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SpaceX is preparing to launch its Falcon 9 rocket, booster 1067, on its 33rd mission, adding 28 Starlink satellites to its ever-expanding constellation. This launch marks a significant step towards demonstrating the long-term viability of reusable rocket technology, as SpaceX aims to certify its boosters for up to 40 flights each.

Why it matters

Reusability is the cornerstone of SpaceX's strategy to dramatically reduce the cost of space access. Each successful reuse saves millions of dollars compared to building a new rocket for every mission, opening up space to a wider range of applications, from scientific research and Earth observation to commercial ventures like space tourism and in-space manufacturing.

The details

The Starlink 6-104 mission will deploy another 28 broadband internet satellites, bringing the total number of satellites in orbit to over 9,700. This continuous expansion aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to underserved areas around the globe. Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, booster 1067 is targeted to land on the droneship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' in the Atlantic Ocean, marking the 143rd landing on this particular vessel and the 575th booster landing overall for SpaceX.

• The launch is scheduled for 10:47 p.m. EST (0347 UTC) on February 22, 2026.

What’s next

SpaceX will continue to push the boundaries of reusable rocket technology, with the goal of certifying its Falcon 9 boosters for up to 40 flights each. The company is also developing its next-generation launch system, Starship, which is designed to be fully reusable, potentially reducing launch costs even further.