South Korea gives green light for local deployment of Starlink and OneWeb satellite internet systems
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launched 29 Starlink satellites into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 4:54 AM on May 4, marking another significant milestone in the company's extensive satellite deployment efforts.
According to current data, SpaceX has launched more than 900 Starlink satellites this year and is on track to break a record of 170 orbital launches in 2025. The majority of these launches are related to the expansion of the Starlink constellation, which aims to provide global broadband internet.
Recent launches include the deployment of 24 satellites on May 27 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. As of late May 2025, the company has already conducted multiple Falcon 9 launches carrying Starlink satellites.
While there is no current indication of South Korean missions or payloads on the most recent launch schedule, SpaceX's focus remains on the continued buildup of the Starlink constellation from U.S. launch sites, particularly Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.
In related news, South Korea may eventually join the Starlink service, as a law revision is set to allow its launch in the country this year. Additionally, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has secured approval for a SpaceX launch site in Texas, to be named Starbase, further solidifying the company's presence in the space industry. NASA's Artemis II lunar mission is also expected to carry a Korean satellite.
- The growth in SpaceX's business, driven by technology advancements, is evident in its planned record-breaking 170 orbital launches in 2025, a significant portion of which are dedicated to the Starlink industry.
- Aside from SpaceX's US launch sites, there are potential explorations of the Starlink service expanding to other countries, such as South Korea, as a recent law revision indicates the possibility of its launch in the country this year.
- In the realm of space-and-astronomy, NASA's Artemis II lunar mission and Elon Musk's proposed SpaceX launch site in Texas, aptly named Starbase, underscore the role of both the government and the private industry in fostering technology development and space exploration.
