Science & Tech · Space · 4 hrs ago
SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites from California
SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Oct.
23.
The Falcon 9 rocket’s first-stage booster landed on a drone ship, marking its 36th launch and landing.
The satellites are part of Starlink, SpaceX’s broadband internet network, which has more than 11,000 active spacecraft.
Starlink launches on Falcon 9 have become less frequent after flying as often as every two to three days.
SpaceX is shifting toward Starship, which is designed to carry larger, upgraded Starlink satellites and could eventually replace most Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy flights.
The rocket’s upper stage was due to make a final burn before satellite deployment was scheduled to begin 62 minutes after launch.
SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Oct. 23, 2026.
A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 6:48 p.m. EDT, carrying the Starlink Group 15-15 spacecraft.
The rocket’s first-stage booster, B1063, landed on a SpaceX droneship about eight minutes after launch.
It was B1063’s 36th launch and landing.
The satellites were scheduled to begin deploying into low Earth orbit 62 minutes after liftoff.
- Who
- SpaceX launched the satellites.
- What
- A Falcon 9 rocket carried 27 Starlink Group 15-15 satellites.
- When
- Oct. 23, 2026, at 6:48 p.m. EDT.
- Where
- Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
- Why
- To add to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 27 Starlink satellites lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The first-stage booster shut down its engines and separated from the second stage.
Booster B1063 landed on SpaceX’s droneship Of Course I Still Love You.
Deployment of the 27 satellites into low Earth orbit was scheduled to begin.
- Satellites
- 27 Starlink Group 15-15 spacecraft
- Launch vehicle
- Falcon 9
- Launch site
- Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
- Launch time
- Oct. 23, 2026, at 6:48 p.m. EDT
- Booster
- B1063; 36th launch and landing