🚀 SpaceX Launch Latest: Falcon 9 Delivers 26 Starlink Satellites from Vandenberg, Marking 500th Falcon Mission
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, California (June 17, 2025) — In a defining moment for aerospace innovation, SpaceX executed another flawless rocket launch tonight, dispatching 26 additional Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit via its workhorse Falcon 9 booster. This mission, designated Starlink 15‑9, lifted off at 8:36 p.m. PDT (11:36 p.m. EDT) from Space Launch Complex 4 East, marking SpaceX’s landmark 500th Falcon rocket launch and cementing its dominance in rocket launch California history.
A Momentous Falcon 9 Launch Tonight
The SpaceX launch today showcased the famed Falcon 9 rocket, tail number B1093, on its third flight, carrying 26 Starlink satellites (Group 15‑9), adding to the ever‑expanding Starlink satellite constellation (space.com). Eight and a half minutes after liftoff, the first‑stage booster made a precision landing on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You, reaffirming SpaceX’s prowess in rocket launch California and reusable booster technology (space.com).
This continues a recent string of Starlink missions: earlier launches from Cape Canaveral on rockets launch today (June 13), followed by tonight’s Space X launch tonight at Vandenberg. With tonight’s successful mission, SpaceX graciously celebrated CEO Elon Musk’s journey from a garage startup to a commercial space powerhouse .
Why the Vandenberg Launch Matters
- Strategic location: Launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base (formerly Vandenberg Air Force Base) support polar and sun‑synchronous orbits key to global broadband and Earth‑imaging services.
- Launch cadence: The vandenberg launch schedule is accelerating, with SpaceX now executing multiple vandenberg launches per month (youtube.com, spacex.com).
- Facility expansion: SpaceX is redeveloping Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC‑6) at Vandenberg, slated to come online in late 2025, further boosting its West Coast capabilities (en.wikipedia.org).
Starlink: Connecting the Globe
Since its debut in 2019, the Starlink launch program has deployed more than 7,760 satellites, delivering high‑speed, low‑latency broadband internet to underserved regions (space.com). Multiple launches this month—including the recent Sunday night liftoff—advance SpaceX’s direct‑to‑cell technology, which enables standard cell phones to connect via Starlink in remote areas.
Rocket Reusability: The Falcon 9 Advantage
Tonight’s mission marks another milestone for SpaceX Falcon 9, the backbone of SpaceX’s rocket launch schedule. First‑stage booster B1093, now on its third flight, continued its legacy of innovation with a spectacular droneship landing—SpaceX’s 136th on Of Course I Still Love You and 461st overall landing (space.com).
This reusability slashes launch costs and turnaround times. It builds on earlier successes like booster B1081, which flew 15 times before tonight’s mission, testifying to Falcon 9’s durability and SpaceX’s steadfast adherence to sustainability.
What’s Next on the SpaceX Launch Calendar?
The SpaceX launch schedule is brimming with high‑profile missions:
| Date | Mission | Launch Site |
|---|---|---|
| June 19 | Axiom Mission-4 (Ax‑4) with Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard Crew Dragon | Kennedy Space Center, Florida (spaceflightnow.com) |
| ~June 18 | Starlink 10‑18 from Cape Canaveral | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station |
| Late June | Starship Flight Test & other SpaceX launch California operations expected | Vandenberg SLC‑6 redevelopment underway |
Setting the Record: SpaceX’s 500th Falcon Rocket Launch
Earlier this month, SpaceX celebrated its 500th Falcon rocket launch on June 4—a double victory coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the Falcon 9’s maiden voyage (spaceflightnow.com). That mission, Starlink 11‑22, lifted off from Vandenberg, carrying 27 satellites and landing booster B1063—a reuse pioneer—proving the reliability and durability of the Falcon platform.
Axiom‑4 Mission: Human Spaceflight with Indian Astronaut
On June 12, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket underwent a hiccup: the Axiom‑4 mission, carrying Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the ISS aboard Crew Dragon, was postponed after a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak during propellant testing at Cape Canaveral (spaceflightnow.com, indiatimes.com). The mission is now rescheduled for a June 19 liftoff, pending final inspections.
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This milestone represents India’s triumphant return to human spaceflight—Shukla will be the first Indian at the ISS since 1984, and only the second Indian overall. The mission also includes Polish and Hungarian crew members, cementing global partnerships in private space exploration (spaceflightnow.com).
Starship’s Ongoing Evolution
Not all SpaceX missions yielded success. On May 27, Starship test flight 9 launched from Vandenberg, but suffered a propellant leak, loss of control, and re-entry breakup. Despite the loss of the vehicle in the Indian Ocean, SpaceX emphasizes iterative learning, citing developmental gains that drive future improvements toward Mars‑capable interplanetary travel (people.com).
Starship remains central to Musk’s vision of life multiplanetary, and each test, success or failure, informs its advancement.
Was There a SpaceX Launch Today?
- Yes—the Falcon 9 rocket launch today occurred on June 16, 2025, carrying 26 new Starlink satellites from Vandenberg.
- Yes—the SpaceX launch tonight refers to the local Pacific‑time lift‑off.
- No—the Axiom‑4 crewed launch originally planned for June 12 has been rescheduled to June 19.
If you’re ever asking, “Did SpaceX launch today?” or “What rocket launched today?”, check Spaceflight Now or SpaceX official.
Rocket Launch Today Live Coverage
Ground-to-screen enthusiasts can catch rocket launch today live feeds from:
- SpaceX official via X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube (e.g. the embedded livestream above).
- Spaceflight Now, offering mission commentary and technical insight (people.com, spaceflightnow.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, spaceflightnow.com, spacelaunchschedule.com).
- RocketLaunch.org, with near-real-time updates for rocket launch San Diego, rocket launch California, and vandenberg rocket launch fans .
FAQs
Q1: Was there a SpaceX launch today?
A1: Yes. On June 16, 2025, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg carrying 26 Starlink satellites.
Q2: How often does SpaceX launch from California?
A2: Frequently—monthly Starlink and satellite rideshare missions launch from Vandenberg, and additional launches from SLC‑6 will ramp up later this year as upgrades progress.
Q3: What is SpaceX’s next launch after tonight?
A3: The scheduled Axiom‑4 Falcon 9 crewed mission to the ISS is set for June 19, 2025, from Kennedy Space Center.
Q4: What is Falcon 9’s booster reusability record?
A4: Booster B1093, used tonight, flew its third mission; B1081 completed 15 flights. SpaceX has landed over 460 Falcon boosters, including 136 on this droneship.
Q5: What is Starlink?
A5: Starlink is SpaceX’s low‑Earth orbit broadband satellite constellation. It now consists of over 7,760 active satellites, serving connectivity from remote towns to the oceans.
Q6: Where does SpaceX launch from?
A6: SpaceX uses several sites:
- Vandenberg Space Force Base, California (SLC‑4E, SLC‑6)
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida (SLC‑40)
- Kennedy Space Center, Florida (LC‑39A)
- Starbase, Texas (South Texas Launch Site)
Reference:
- Spaceflight Now – authoritative timeline and live coverage of the rocket launch today (spacex.com, spaceflightnow.com, en.wikipedia.org).
- Space.com – technical details on tonight’s Starlink launch and Falcon 9 specs .
- Economictimes.indiatimes.com – milestone coverage of SpaceX’s 500th launch (economictimes.indiatimes.com).
SpaceX continues to push boundaries, inspiring global attention with every space x launch, spacex rocket launch today, and ambitious test. Stay tuned—we’re witnessing history as rockets light up the California sky, ushering in the future of space travel.
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