SpaceX launched another batch of U.S. spy satellites from California's central coast tonight (Jan. 9). A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base tonight at 10:53 p.m. EST (7:53 p.m. local California time; 0353 GMT on Jan. 10) on the NROL-153 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

Starlink is the largest satellite constellation ever deployed — and it's continuously growing, as today's planned launch demonstrates. There are currently more than 6,850 active Starlink spacecraft in LEO, according to satellite tracker and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.