VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA / Content Syndication Services / – SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket from California on Sunday, adding another batch to its low-Earth-orbit internet network. The Starlink 17-40 mission lifted off at 9:09 a.m. Pacific time from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The launch carried broadband satellites designed for the Starlink constellation.
The Falcon 9 rocket flew on a south-southwesterly path after leaving the coastal launch pad. Its first stage separated from the upper stage minutes after liftoff. The upper stage continued the mission with the Starlink payload. The flight followed standard Falcon 9 procedures for Starlink missions from the West Coast launch range.
The booster used for the mission, B1088, completed its 17th flight. Its previous missions included NROL-126, Transporter-12, SPHEREx, NROL-57 and 12 earlier Starlink flights. After stage separation, the booster returned to Earth and landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean.
Booster completes 17th flight
The landing occurred a little more than eight minutes after liftoff. It added to SpaceX’s record of repeated Falcon 9 booster reuse. SpaceX uses recovered first stages across many satellite, cargo and government missions. Booster reuse remains a core part of Falcon 9 operations and launch scheduling.
Vandenberg Space Force Base personnel supported the launch through the Western Range. The base said the mission marked its 44th launch of 2026. The U.S. Space Force facility hosts military, civil and commercial launches from California’s central coast. Its location supports missions headed into polar and sun-synchronous orbits.
Starlink network expands in low Earth orbit
Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite broadband system. It uses large numbers of small satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet service. The network serves homes, businesses, aircraft, maritime users and other mobile connections. Public orbital tracking data showed more than 10,700 active Starlink satellites after the latest flight.
The mission was SpaceX’s 75th Falcon 9 launch of 2026. It also closed another month of frequent Starlink flights from U.S. launch sites. The June 28 launch continued the company’s regular deployment of broadband satellites using Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base and other launch facilities.