SpaceX launches 25 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base to begin the Starlink 17-31 mission on March 13, 2026. Image: SpaceX

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rockets from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California Friday morning, carrying 25 broadband internet satellites for SpaceX’s low Earth orbit megaconstellation.

Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East happened at 6:57:59 a.m. PDT (10:57:59 a.m. EDT / 1457:59 UTC). This was the company’s 25th mission supporting its low Earth orbit constellation so far this year.



SpaceX launched the Starlink 17-31 mission using the Falcon 9 first stage booster with the tail number 1071. This was its 32nd flight following the launch of missions, like NASA’s SWOT, five missions for the National Reconnaissance Office and five SmallSat rideshare missions.

A little less than 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1071 landed on the drone ship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You,’ positioned in the Pacific Ocean. This was the 183rd landing on this vessel and the 584th booster landing for SpaceX.

Satellite deployment happened a little more than an hour after the launch, bringing SpaceX up to 674 Starlink satellites flown so far in 2026.

A stack of SpaceX’s Starlink V2 Mini satellites are seen on its Falcon 9 second stage during the Starlink 17-31 mission on March 13, 2026. Image: SpaceX