Science & Tech · Space · 1 hr ago
SpaceX resumes Falcon 9 Starlink launches after more than three weeks
SpaceX launched 27 Starlink internet satellites into low Earth orbit on Oct.
12.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, its first Starlink launch since Sept.
19.
Its first stage landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean about eight and a half minutes after liftoff.
The upper stage released the satellites into orbit about 62 minutes after launch.
The rocket booster had completed its 20th launch and landing.
Starlink’s network has more than 11,100 active satellites, and SpaceX plans to use its Starship rocket for future launches of a larger generation of Starlink satellites.
Starship is still in its test-flight phase, while SpaceX plans to retire Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy in the next few years.
SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Oct. 12.
It was the first Falcon 9 Starlink mission since Sept. 19, a gap of more than three weeks.
The rocket’s first stage landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean about 8.5 minutes after launch.
The satellites were deployed into low Earth orbit 62 minutes after liftoff.
The booster, designated B1088, completed its 20th launch and landing.
- Who
- SpaceX launched the satellites.
- What
- A Falcon 9 rocket carried 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit.
- When
- Oct. 12, 2026, at 8:28 p.m. EDT.
- Where
- The rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
- Why
- The satellites were part of SpaceX’s Starlink internet constellation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The previous Falcon 9 Starlink mission launched from Vandenberg with 27 satellites.
SpaceX’s Starship carried 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites on its 14th test flight.
A Falcon 9 launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg.
The rocket’s first stage landed on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean.
The Falcon 9’s upper stage deployed the 27 satellites into low Earth orbit.
- Payload
- 27 Starlink satellites
- Launch site
- Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
- Launch time
- Oct. 12, 2026, at 8:28 p.m. EDT
- Booster
- B1088; 20th launch and landing
- Satellite deployment
- 62 minutes after liftoff
Posts on X
Deployment of 27 @Starlink satellites confirmed
Sources
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