SpaceX is preparing for the last rocket launch of its impressive year.

      The Falcon 9 rocket, known for its reliability, has had an exceptionally busy year over the past 12 months.

      According to various metrics, SpaceX is concluding this year on a high note. The American aerospace company will wrap up 2025 with a remarkable total of 165 launches using its dependable Falcon 9 rocket, with the year’s final liftoff scheduled for Saturday, December 27.

      The upcoming mission, the last flight of 2025, is the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation project for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence, set to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

      Currently, the launch is expected to take place at 6:08 p.m. PT, with a back-up option available for Sunday, December 28, at the same time if needed.

      A livestream will begin approximately 15 minutes before the launch, which can be viewed on X @SpaceX or via SpaceX's website.

      This flight marks the 21st mission for the first-stage booster, which has previously supported launches for Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, TRACERS, NROL-48, and 11 Starlink missions.

      About eight minutes post-launch, the booster will return to Earth and land at Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

      This has been a prolific year for SpaceX’s launches. By accomplishing 165 missions, the company will exceed its previous annual launch record, established last year, by 31 missions.

      A majority of the 2025 missions focused on deploying batches of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites, while the remaining missions involved deploying satellites for various governments and organizations, along with crew and cargo flights to the International Space Station.

      Additionally, SpaceX completed five launches of its developing Starship rocket, with the latest occurring in October. This enormous rocket is intended for future crew and cargo missions to the moon and potentially Mars, although considerable work remains to prepare it for its inaugural operational flight.

      With a significant number of missions completed in the past year, SpaceX has solidified its position as the leading player in orbital launches, and next year is expected to be even busier for the company.

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