Overview
- The Falcon 9 is set to lift off Saturday in a four-hour window that opens at 6:47 p.m. Pacific Time to place 27 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.
- After first-stage separation the booster will attempt a landing on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You, and the vehicle assigned to this mission is recorded as flying for the 17th time.
- National Weather Service forecasts warn of patchy fog and low clouds during the launch window which could limit visual sightings and affect how far any sonic booms travel.
- SpaceX will stream the launch starting about ten minutes before liftoff and the FAA has listed a backup launch day if the attempt is postponed.
- The flight is part of a steady 2026 Starlink build-out from Vandenberg that relies on frequent Falcon 9 sorties and reusable boosters to sustain a high launch cadence.