Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-33

SpaceX's Falcon 9 Launches Starlink Group 17-33: Expanding Global Connectivity

On February 6, 2026, SpaceX successfully executed the Starlink Group 17-33 mission, deploying 25 satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This launch marked another milestone in the company's ambitious Starlink project, aimed at building a vast mega-constellation to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access worldwide. The Falcon 9 rocket, a workhorse of modern spaceflight, lifted off precisely on schedule, underscoring SpaceX's operational efficiency in an era of rapid commercialization of space.

The primary objective of the mission was to bolster the Starlink constellation, which seeks to deliver broadband internet to underserved regions, including remote rural areas, maritime environments, and disaster zones where traditional infrastructure falls short. Each of the 25 satellites deployed weighs approximately 300 kilograms and features advanced laser communication links for inter-satellite data relay, enhancing network resilience and reducing reliance on ground stations. With a payload capacity of up to 22,800 kilograms to low Earth orbit in its reusable configuration, the Falcon 9 can accommodate dense satellite batches like this one, optimizing deployment costs. This mission's satellites are equipped with upgraded solar arrays and ion thrusters for precise orbital maneuvering, allowing them to maintain formation in a shell of orbits around 550 kilometers above Earth. By integrating these capabilities, Starlink aims to achieve global coverage with minimal latency—critical for applications like real-time video conferencing and autonomous vehicle navigation.

At the heart of the mission is the Falcon 9 Block 5, the latest iteration of SpaceX's reusable launch vehicle. Standing 70 meters tall with a diameter of 3.7 meters, the rocket is powered by nine Merlin 1D engines in its first stage, generating over 7.6 million newtons of thrust at liftoff. The second stage, fueled by a single Merlin vacuum engine, propels the payload to orbit. Key to its design is reusability: the first stage, constructed from aluminum-lithium alloy, is engineered for up to 20 flights with minimal refurbishment, featuring grid fins for controlled descent and landing legs for vertical recovery on drone ships or land pads. This Block 5 variant incorporates enhancements like improved heat shielding and titanium grid fins, addressing lessons from earlier models to boost reliability and turnaround time.

The Falcon 9's performance history is a testament to iterative engineering. Since its debut in 201