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LIVE NOW: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches 24 Starlink Satellites from Vandenberg
SpaceX Set to Launch More Starlink Satellites from California This Friday
What’s Happening?
SpaceX is getting ready to send another batch of Starlink internet satellites into space from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch was originally planned for Monday, July 27, but got pushed back four days. Now, the Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift off on Friday night at 8:08 p.m. PDT (that’s 11:08 p.m. EDT or 0308 UTC).
Important Point: Spaceflight Now will be streaming live coverage starting about 30 minutes before launch, so you can watch it all happen in real time!
The Rocket and Its Mission
Meet the Falcon 9
The Falcon 9 is SpaceX’s workhorse rocket. It has two main parts:
- First Stage (Booster): The big bottom part with 9 engines that does the heavy lifting at the start
- Second Stage: The smaller top part that takes the satellites the rest of the way to orbit
The Star of the Show: Booster B1081
This flight uses a first-stage booster called B1081. This isn’t its first rodeo—this will be its 26th flight!
Important Point: SpaceX reuses its rocket boosters to save money and reduce waste. B1081 has already launched 15 batches of Starlink satellites plus important missions for NASA and other customers.
Previous Missions for B1081
Here’s a highlight reel of what this booster has already accomplished:
- Aug. 26, 2023 – NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 (flew astronauts to the space station)
- Nov. 10, 2023 – SpaceX CRS-29 (delivered supplies to the space station)
- Feb. 8, 2024 – NASA’s PACE (Earth-observing satellite)
- Mar. 4, 2024 – Transporter-10 (rideshare mission with many small satellites)
- May 28, 2024 – ESA’s EarthCARE (European climate satellite)
- Jun. 29, 2024 – NROL-186 (national security mission)
- Mar. 15, 2025 – Transporter-13 (another rideshare mission)
- Jul. 23, 2025 – NASA’s TRACERS (space weather research)
- Sep. 22, 2025 – NROL-48 (another national security mission)
- Jan. 3, 2026 – COSMO-SkyMED Second Generation FM3 (Italian radar satellite)
What’s Inside the Rocket?
The Starlink 17-52 mission will carry 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites. These are the newer, more capable version of SpaceX’s internet satellites.
Important Point: With this launch, SpaceX will have over 10,800 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, beaming internet to users around the world—especially in rural and remote areas where traditional internet isn’t available.
The Landing: "Of Course I Still Love You"
About 8 minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster B1081 will attempt to land on a droneship (an autonomous landing platform) named "Of Course I Still Love You" floating in the Pacific Ocean.
If successful, this will be:
- The 214th landing on this particular droneship
- The 643rd orbital booster landing overall for SpaceX
Important Point: Landing and reusing boosters is what makes SpaceX launches so much cheaper than traditional rockets that are thrown away after one use.
By the Numbers: SpaceX’s Busy 2026
This launch continues a record-breaking year for SpaceX:
- 90th Falcon rocket launch of 2026 (including 1 Falcon Heavy)
- 69th batch of Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launched this year
How to Watch
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Launch Time | Friday, 8:08 p.m. PDT / 11:08 p.m. EDT / 0308 UTC |
| Launch Site | Space Launch Complex 4 East, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
| Live Coverage | Spaceflight Now (starts ~30 minutes before launch) |
| Payload | 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites |
| Booster | B1081 (26th flight) |
| Landing | Droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in Pacific Ocean |
Summary
SpaceX is launching 24 more Starlink internet satellites from California on Friday night at 8:08 p.m. PDT. The Falcon 9 rocket will use a veteran booster (B1081) flying for the 26th time. After delivering the satellites to orbit, the booster will attempt to land on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean. This continues SpaceX’s incredible pace in 2026—this is their 90th Falcon launch of the year! You can watch live on Spaceflight Now starting about 30 minutes before liftoff.
FAQ
What is Starlink?
Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite internet service. Thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit beam high-speed internet to users on the ground, especially in areas where cable or fiber internet isn’t available.
Why does SpaceX reuse rocket boosters?
Reusing boosters dramatically reduces the cost of spaceflight. Instead of building a new rocket for every launch (like throwing away an airplane after one flight), SpaceX lands, refurbishes, and flies them again—sometimes dozens of times!
What is a "droneship"?
A droneship is an autonomous ship equipped with a landing platform. Since the rocket launches over the ocean, the booster can’t fly back to land—it lands on the ship instead. "Of Course I Still Love You" is one of SpaceX’s fleet of droneships.
What does "V2 Mini Optimized" mean?
These are the second-generation (V2) Starlink satellites, but in a smaller "Mini" size that fits on the Falcon 9 rocket. "Optimized" means they’ve been improved for better performance and easier manufacturing.
Why was the launch delayed from Monday?
SpaceX didn’t publicly disclose the reason for the delay. Launch delays are common and can be due to weather, technical checks, range availability, or other factors. Safety always comes first!
