Falcon 9 Set to Launch Starlink Group 17-40 on June 28

SpaceX is gearing up for another Starlink launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, and residents across California's Central Coast will have a front-row seat to the action. The mission, designated Starlink Group 17-40, is scheduled for no earlier than Sunday, June 28, 2026, with a launch window opening at 9:09 AM Pacific Time and extending through 11:00 AM PT.

Lifting off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg, a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket will carry a batch of 24 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. These satellites are part of SpaceX's ever-expanding Starlink mega-constellation, the company's ambitious project to deliver high-speed, space-based internet communications to users around the globe. Each new batch of satellites helps SpaceX increase the capacity, coverage, and reliability of the network, which now serves customers in dozens of countries across multiple continents.

The Falcon 9 Block 5 is the workhorse of SpaceX's launch fleet, known for its reusability and reliability. The Block 5 variant is the most advanced iteration of the Falcon 9 design, engineered to fly multiple missions with minimal refurbishment between flights. As with most recent Starlink launches, SpaceX is expected to attempt a landing of the rocket's first stage booster following stage separation, a routine but still impressive feat that has become something of a trademark for the company.

For Central Coast residents, a daytime launch like this one offers an excellent opportunity to witness the spectacle with clear sightlines and no need to set an alarm for an unusual hour. Depending on atmospheric conditions, viewers across the 805 region may be able to see the rocket's bright exhaust plume arcing across the morning sky as the Falcon 9 climbs toward orbit. The sight of a booster return and landing, if visible from your location, adds another memorable moment to the experience.

Whether you plan to watch from your backyard, a local beach, or a hilltop vantage point, the Central Coast offers some spectacular spots to take in a Vandenberg launch. For a curated guide to the best viewing locations in the area, head to 805.life/launches/where-to-watch before heading out on launch day. With a window opening at 9:09 AM PT on June 28, there is plenty of time to plan your spot and enjoy the show.