SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California (photos)
SpaceX has sent yet another batch of its Starlink internet satellites into orbit.
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 of the broadband spacecraft lifted off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday (July 31) at 11:08 p.m. EDT (8:08 p.m. local time; 0308 GMT on Aug. 1).
The rocket’s first stage came back to Earth as planned 8.5 minutes later, touching down in the Pacific Ocean atop the SpaceX droneship “Of Course I Still Love You.” It was the 26th mission for this particular booster, which is designated B1081.
Previous Booster B1081 launches
The 24 Starlink satellites were deployed into low Earth orbit (LEO) 61.5 minutes after liftoff as planned, SpaceX confirmed via X.
They’re joining more than 10,800 other spacecraft in the Starlink megaconstellation, by far the largest satellite network ever assembled.
SpaceX has now launched 89 Falcon 9 missions in 2026, 69 of which have been dedicated Starlink flights.
The company also has three other liftoffs under its belt this year — one launch of its powerful Falcon Heavy vehicle and two test flights of Starship, the fully reusable megarocket SpaceX is developing to help humanity settle the moon and Mars, among other tasks.
