Sun Apr 13 13:31:33 UTC 2025: ## SpaceX’s 400th Mission: Starlink Satellites Launch Against Stunning Full Moon Backdrop
**Cape Canaveral, FL –** SpaceX successfully launched its 400th mission on Saturday night, sending 21 Starlink satellites into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The launch, delayed earlier in the week, provided a spectacular visual display for onlookers along Florida’s Space Coast, as the Falcon 9 rocket appeared to pass in front of, behind, or even beneath the full moon.
The mission deployed 21 Starlink satellites, a significant number of which feature cutting-edge Direct-to-Cell technology designed to expand global mobile connectivity and reduce mobile dead zones. SpaceX celebrated the milestone on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the use of a flight-proven booster, marking their 400th mission and a testament to their reusable rocket technology.
Social media was flooded with breathtaking images and videos capturing the rocket’s ascent against the backdrop of the full moon. Users shared stunning photos and videos showcasing the unique perspective offered by the celestial alignment, with many describing the event as awe-inspiring. One user even noted the launch coincided with the April full moon, sometimes called the “Pink Moon”.
The Falcon 9’s first stage, B1083, successfully landed on SpaceX’s droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” approximately six minutes after liftoff. The upper stage continued its trajectory, deploying the 21 Starlink satellites approximately 2.5 minutes into the flight. These satellites will soon begin maneuvering into their designated orbits to join SpaceX’s extensive network, which now boasts over 7,000 satellites providing global high-speed internet access. The successful launch marks another step toward SpaceX’s goal of providing ubiquitous internet coverage worldwide.
First Piper 