SpaceX Launches 1,000th Starlink Satellite of 2026
April 14, 2026
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SpaceX’s rapidly expanding Starlink network takes another major step forward with the launch of the 1,000th satellite this year.Cape CanaveralTodaySpaceX successfully launched its 1,000th Starlink satellite of 2026 on Tuesday morning, sending 29 broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This was the company’s 37th dedicated Starlink mission of the year.
Why it matters
The Starlink network is a key part of SpaceX’s plan to provide global high-speed internet access, and the company has been rapidly expanding the constellation with frequent launches. Reaching the 1,000-satellite milestone in a single year underscores the pace of Starlink’s growth.
The details
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 5:33 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40, with the first stage booster (tail number B1080) making its 26th flight and targeting a landing on the drone ship ‘Just Read the Instructions’ in the Atlantic Ocean. After payload deployment over an hour later, SpaceX will have sent 1,002 Starlink satellites to orbit in 2026 so far.
- Liftoff occurred at 5:33 a.m. EDT (0933 UTC) on April 14, 2026.
- The first stage booster is expected to land on the drone ship approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff.
The players
SpaceX
A private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk, with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars.
Starlink
SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation that aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to locations around the world.
Falcon 9
SpaceX’s workhorse reusable launch vehicle that has become the most frequently flown operational orbital rocket in history.
Just Read the Instructions
One of SpaceX’s autonomous drone ships used to recover Falcon 9 first stage boosters after launch.
What they’re saying
“The rapid pace of Starlink launches this year is a testament to the team’s hard work and commitment to expanding global internet access.”
— Elon Musk, CEO, SpaceX
What’s next
SpaceX plans to continue launching Starlink satellites at a rapid cadence throughout 2026 as it works towards its goal of providing worldwide broadband coverage.
The takeaway
SpaceX’s Starlink program is making significant strides in building out its satellite internet constellation, with the company on pace to launch its 1,000th Starlink satellite of the year in a single mission – a milestone that underscores the ambitious scale of this project.
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