SpaceX to Launch 25 Starlink Satellites Tonight

Falcon 9 rocket set to lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 10:16 PM

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:42am

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SpaceX is scheduled to launch 25 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California on Monday night at 10:16 PM. The Falcon 9 rocket booster involved has already flown 13 previous missions and is expected to land on a ship in the Pacific Ocean after the launch.

Why it matters

This launch will bring SpaceX's total number of Starlink satellites in space to over 10,000 for the first time, further expanding the company's global satellite internet network. Residents in the surrounding counties may also hear sonic booms during the launch.

The details

The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying 25 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. The booster being used has already flown 13 previous missions and is expected to land on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean after the launch.

  • The launch is scheduled for 10:16 PM on Monday, March 17, 2026.

The players

SpaceX

A private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.

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The takeaway

This launch marks another milestone for SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet network, which aims to provide global broadband access from space. The sonic booms heard by residents in the area are a reminder of the increasing frequency of rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base.