SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Saturday morning. The mission, designated Starlink 15-7, aims to deploy 26 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit. The launch is scheduled for 10:13 a.m. PDT (1:13 p.m. EDT, 1713 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 4 East.
This marks the second of two planned Falcon 9 launches by SpaceX this Saturday. The Falcon 9 first stage booster, B1088, will be making its eighth flight. It has previously supported missions such as NASA’s SPHEREx, two National Reconnaissance Office missions, and the Transporter-12 rideshare mission.
Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, B1088 will attempt to land on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX Falcon 9’s Vandenberg launch
If successful, this will be the 139th recovery on this vessel and the 470th booster landing for SpaceX.
The 26 Starlink V2 Mini satellites will join the growing Starlink constellation, which currently consists of nearly 8,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, aims to provide global internet service through this vast network of satellites. SpaceX will provide a live stream of the launch starting approximately five minutes before liftoff.
Residents in the surrounding area may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch. This launch showcases SpaceX’s rapid advancement in launch capabilities and its ongoing efforts to expand the Starlink network. Stay tuned to SpaceX’s official channels for further updates on this mission.
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