SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch 24 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The mission will be streamed live on SpaceX’s official site, X @SpaceX, and the new X TV app, with coverage starting approximately five minutes before liftoff.
This mission marks the fifth flight of the Falcon 9 first-stage booster, which has previously supported four Starlink launches. After stage separation, the booster will attempt a precision landing on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
Residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear sonic booms during the launch, depending on atmospheric and weather conditions.
Countdown and Flight Timeline
Key milestones include:
- 00:38:00 — Launch director “Go” for propellant load
- 00:35:00 — RP-1 and first stage LOX loading begin
- 00:16:00 — Second stage LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00 — Engine chill begins
- 00:00:03 — Engine ignition sequence start
- 00:01:12 — Max Q (peak mechanical stress)
- 00:02:26 — 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
- 00:02:29 — 1st and 2nd stages separate
- 00:02:36 — 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
- 00:02:54 — Fairing separation
- 00:06:10 — 1st stage entry burn begins
- 00:06:33 — 1st stage entry burn ends
- 00:07:54 — 1st stage landing burn begins
- 00:08:23 — 1st stage landing
- 00:08:39 — 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
- 00:54:15 — 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
- 00:54:16 — 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
- 01:03:07 — Starlink satellites deploy
This mission highlights SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology, with the first stage booster already having flown four missions. By refurbishing and reusing hardware, SpaceX continues to drive down launch costs while increasing cadence, a strategy that underpins the rapid expansion of the Starlink network.
