SpaceX Launches Starlink Satellites on Valentine's Day

Falcon 9 rocket lights up the Southern California sky

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Saturday night, carrying 24 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. The launch, which took place on Valentine's Day, was visible to many Southern Californians who were out celebrating the holiday.

Why it matters

SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service has been rapidly expanding, with the company having launched around 11,000 Starlink satellites since 2019. This latest launch is part of that ongoing effort to build out the Starlink network and provide broadband internet access to more areas.

The details

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:03 p.m. local time, and SpaceX confirmed that the 24 Starlink satellites had been successfully deployed. Residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties were warned that they might experience one or more sonic booms during the launch, a common occurrence with SpaceX launches from Vandenberg. After stage separation, the rocket's first stage landed on SpaceX's drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' in the Pacific Ocean.

  • The Falcon 9 rocket launched at 7:03 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • SpaceX has three more launches scheduled from Vandenberg this month, with the next expected on Wednesday.

The players

SpaceX

An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.

Starlink

SpaceX's satellite internet provider, which has launched around 11,000 broadband satellites into space since 2019.

Vandenberg Space Force Base

A United States Space Force facility located on the central California coast, which serves as a launch site for SpaceX and other aerospace companies.

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What’s next

SpaceX has three more launches scheduled from Vandenberg this month, with the next expected to take place on Wednesday.

The takeaway

This latest Starlink launch by SpaceX on Valentine's Day highlights the company's ongoing efforts to expand its satellite internet network, providing broadband access to more areas while also showcasing the impressive capabilities of its Falcon 9 rocket.