🚀 Starlink 10-28 Mission Overview
| 🔭 Mission Element | 🌐 Details |
|---|---|
| 🚀 Mission Name | Starlink Group 10-28 |
| 📅 Launch Date | July 8, 2025 |
| ⏰ Launch Time (IST) | 10:18 AM IST (04:48 UTC) |
| 🛰️ Satellites Deployed | 27 Starlink V2 Mini |
| 📡 Satellite Version | Starlink Second-Gen (V2 Mini) |
| 🚀 Launch Vehicle | Falcon 9 Block 5 (Reusable) |
| 📍 Launch Pad | SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida |
| 🔁 Booster Used | B1062 (17th flight – reusable booster) |
| 🌊 Landing Platform | Drone Ship: A Shortfall of Gravitas (Atlantic Ocean) |
| 🌀 Orbit Type | Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – Approx. 530 km altitude |
| 🎯 Orbit Inclination | 43° (Inclined toward equator) |
| 💡 Mission Highlight | Fewer satellites due to V2 Mini’s increased mass & size |
Why Only 27 Satellites
In most earlier Starlink launches, sending 60 satellites was totally normal. But in Starlink 10-28, SpaceX launched only 27 satellites — and that raised a big question: Why so few this time?
The simple answer? These aren’t the old-school satellites anymore.
This mission used V2 Mini satellites, and they’re nearly 3 times heavier than the older ones. Each weighs around 850 to 900 kg.
Now Falcon 9 has its limits — it can’t carry too much without risking booster recovery. So to safely bring the rocket back and still deliver the new-gen satellites, 27 was the sweet spot.
Bottom line?
It’s not about quantity anymore. It’s about smarter, stronger satellites.
🟦 Blue Bars = Satellites per launch
🔴 Red Line = Weight per satellite (kg)
To learn more about the official Starlink program and satellite services, visit Starlink.com.
Previous Missions Launched 60
If you look back at most Starlink missions between 2019 and 2023, 60 satellites per launch became almost standard. Whether it was Starlink Group 1-1, 4-12, or 5-7, the Falcon 9 rocket regularly deployed around 60 V1.0 or V1.5 satellites.
Why 60? Simple — the size and mass of the older satellites were small enough (≈260–300 kg) to perfectly fit Falcon 9’s maximum payload capacity without compromising reusability. SpaceX had optimized the rocket’s fairing space, weight balance, and fuel margin to reliably deliver 60 satellites and still land the booster.
For years, this made Starlink one of the fastest-growing satellite constellations, hitting over 4,000 satellites in orbit by 2024 — all thanks to that 60-per-launch
The Shift in Satellite Numbers
At first, SpaceX focused on launching as many satellites as possible, quickly building the Starlink constellation. That’s why 60 satellites per mission became their go-to formula. But with the introduction of the V2 Mini satellites, things changed.
These newer satellites are bigger, heavier, and far more advanced than the earlier versions. So instead of 60 light satellites, SpaceX now sends fewer but smarter ones.
It’s a clear shift in approach:
From mass deployment to high-tech upgrades.
The goal isn’t just coverage anymore — it’s about stronger signal, better bandwidth, and global reliability.
In short, the satellite number dropped, but the performance shot way up.
The Technology Behind V2 Mini Satellites
Starlink V2 Mini satellites are a big leap from the older versions. They come packed with laser inter-satellite links, meaning they can communicate directly with each other in space—no ground station needed.
They also feature dual solar arrays for higher power, and a new argon-based electric propulsion system for efficient orbit control.
Each V2 Mini is smarter, heavier (~875 kg), and built to deliver faster internet, lower latency, and better performance in remote areas.
In short: fewer satellites, way more power.
What Makes V2 Mini Different
The Starlink V2 Mini isn’t just a heavier satellite — it’s a total upgrade. Unlike older models, these satellites have laser links, allowing them to communicate with each other in space, even over oceans and remote areas.
They also feature larger solar panels, giving them more onboard power, and an argon-fueled electric thruster, which is both efficient and eco-friendly.
What really sets them apart is their ability to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and support direct-to-device connectivity in the near future.
So while the number per launch is lower, each V2 Mini brings massive performance gains that push the Starlink network forward.
Heavier Mass Explained
One of the biggest reasons why Starlink V2 Mini satellites are launched in smaller numbers is their increased weight. While older V1.0 satellites weighed around 260–300 kg, each V2 Mini weighs nearly 850–900 kg — that’s almost three times heavier.
Why the extra mass? It comes from advanced tech upgrades: bigger solar panels, laser communication hardware, stronger propulsion, and higher onboard computing.
This added weight means fewer satellites fit on Falcon 9 without crossing its payload limits. But the trade-off is worth it — each V2 Mini does the job of multiple older satellites, with far better performance.
Falcon 9 Payload Constraints
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is a powerful and reusable rocket, but like any launch vehicle, it has limits. For missions to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Falcon 9 can carry a maximum of around 22,800 kg.
Earlier, this was enough for 60 Starlink V1.0 or V1.5 satellites, since they were relatively lightweight. But with the newer V2 Mini satellites weighing nearly 900 kg each, the same rocket can now carry only around 27 satellites without exceeding safe payload limits.
Also, SpaceX needs to save enough fuel for booster recovery, so they balance the load carefully. This is why the satellite count dropped — not a downgrade, but a smart trade-off for better tech.
How V2 Minis Push the Limit
Starlink V2 Mini satellites are pushing Falcon 9 to its absolute limits. With each satellite weighing nearly 875–900 kg, SpaceX is squeezing every bit of lift performance out of the rocket.
Falcon 9’s maximum payload to Low Earth Orbit is around 22,800 kg — and just 27 V2 Minis come close to that. Unlike older lighter satellites, these new versions take up more space, more mass, and more energy to deploy.
To stay within limits and still recover the booster, SpaceX must carefully manage fuel, thrust, and orbit height. V2 Minis make it clear: the rocket isn’t weaker — the satellites are just a whole lot stronger
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