Falcon 9’s 475th historic mission: Starlink 6-74 launch in pics

On April 24, 2025, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 which is a reusable two-stage rocket stood ready at Launch Complex 40 (LC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission, Starlink 6-74, marked the SpaceX’s 47th Falcon 9 flight of the year and aimed to expand it's growing low Earth orbit (LEO) internet constellation. (Credits: SpaceX)

Just seconds before liftoff, nine Merlin engines ignited beneath the Falcon 9, releasing a burst of white smoke and fire. The vehicle entered the final moments of its countdown, moments away from launching 28 Starlink satellites. (Credits: SpaceX)

A closeup of the rocket’s first-stage engines firing captured the force behind the launch. The Falcon 9 carried 28 Starlink satellites inside its payload fairing as it began the journey to orbit. (Credits: SpaceX)

At 9:52 pm (local time), the Falcon 9 lifted off into the night sky, powered by its nine first-stage engines. The launch marked SpaceX’s 475th mission overall and its 30th Starlink launch of 2025. (Credits: SpaceX)

About 2.5 minutes after launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage separated from the upper stage. Booster B1069 began its descent, completing its 23rd mission and 19th Starlink deployment, while the upper stage continued to low Earth orbit. (Credits: SpaceX)

Following this latest launch, Starlink’s total satellite count exceeded 7,000. The network continued to expand its high-speed internet coverage across nearly every part of the globe, except the poles. (Credits: SpaceX)

This breathtaking long-exposure image captured the full arc of Falcon 9's ascent as it launched Starlink 6-74 from Cape Canaveral on April 24, 2025. The rocket lit up the sky as it carried 28 satellites into low Earth orbit, painting a perfect trajectory over Florida’s Atlantic coast. (Credits: SpaceX)