27 Starlink Satellites Reach Orbit

SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Oct. 23.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off Pad 4E at 6:48 p.m. EDT. The payload consisted of Starlink Group 15-15 spacecraft. The vehicle reached orbit and deployed the satellites as scheduled.

The first stage booster, designated B1063, separated from the upper stage 2.5 minutes into flight. The booster reoriented and landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You. This was the 36th landing for B1063, which previously carried NASA's DART mission in November 2021.

The upper stage completed its initial burn after the booster landed. It coasted for 45 minutes before a final insertion burn. Satellite deployment began 62 minutes after liftoff. The Starlink constellation now has more than 11,000 active spacecraft.

This launch marked the 116th Falcon 9 flight of 2026. About three-quarters of the year's missions were Starlink deployments. The 11 day gap since the previous launch was the longest pause in recent months. The prior flight itself was the first in more than three weeks.

SpaceX is shifting focus to the Starship rocket. Starship is designed for full reusability and will carry Version 3 Starlink satellites. These larger satellites do not fit in the Falcon 9 fairing. SpaceX plans to phase out Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy once Starship enters operational service.

The 100th Falcon 9 launch of 2026 was the final Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral. West Coast Starlink launches may follow. The rocket flew 165 times in 2025, its busiest year. Current projections show just under 150 launches in 2026.