SpaceX Launches 600th Falcon 9 Rocket with Starlink Mission

The milestone flight also marks the 180th Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

SpaceX is set to launch its 600th Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday evening from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Starlink 17-13 mission will deliver 24 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit. This launch also represents the 180th Falcon 9 flight from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 4 East.

Why it matters

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has become the workhorse of the commercial space industry, with the 600th launch representing a major milestone in the company's history. The Starlink network is a key part of SpaceX's business, providing global broadband internet access.

The details

The Falcon 9 booster set to launch the Starlink satellites has flown 21 previous missions, including four flights for NASA. After liftoff, the booster will attempt to land on SpaceX's drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' in the Pacific Ocean, which would be the 178th landing on that vessel and the 571st overall booster landing for the company.

  • The launch is scheduled for 5:58:50 p.m. PST (8:58:50 p.m. EST / 0158:50 UTC) on February 14, 2026.
  • Earlier on February 14, SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft named Freedom arrived at the International Space Station at 3:15 p.m. EST (2015 UTC).

The players

SpaceX

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

Vandenberg Space Force Base

A United States Space Force facility located on the central California coast, northwest of Lompoc.

Starlink

SpaceX's satellite internet constellation that provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

SpaceX's 600th Falcon 9 launch is a significant milestone for the company, showcasing the reliability and versatility of its workhorse rocket. The Starlink mission will further expand the company's global broadband internet network, underscoring its ambitions to provide connectivity worldwide.