SpaceX successfully launched a new batch of 27 Starlink broadband satellites on September 19, 2026. The launch took place at 9:47 p.m. EDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage returned to Earth approximately 8.5 minutes post-launch, landing on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You,” marking the 17th flight for booster 1093.
After reaching orbit, the rocket’s upper stage deployed the satellites into low Earth orbit about 62 minutes after launch. With this addition, the Starlink constellation now comprises over 11,100 active satellites, as noted by astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.
This launch marked the 107th Falcon 9 mission of 2026, continuing the impressive pace of Starlink network expansion, though it falls short of SpaceX’s record of 165 launches in 2025, where 122 were dedicated to Starlink missions. If current trends continue, 2026 is projected to have 149 launches, 113 for Starlink.
