SpaceX Falcon 9 Successfully Launches Starlink Group 17-45

SpaceX successfully launched another batch of Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base on California's Central Coast on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, continuing the company's steady cadence of missions from the iconic launch site.

Liftoff took place no earlier than 8:30 PM Pacific Time from Space Launch Complex 4E, with a launch window extending through 9:48 PM PT. The mission, designated Starlink Group 17-45, sent 24 satellites into low Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, further expanding SpaceX's growing Starlink mega-constellation.

The Starlink network is SpaceX's ambitious project to deliver high-speed, space-based internet connectivity to users around the globe, including in remote and underserved areas that traditional ground-based infrastructure often fails to reach. Each successful launch adds to a constellation that continues to grow in both size and capability, bringing the company closer to its long-term vision for global broadband coverage.

Wednesday night's mission followed the reliable profile that SpaceX and the Falcon 9 have become known for at Vandenberg. The Falcon 9 Block 5 is the most advanced and reusable iteration of the workhorse rocket, designed to fly multiple times with minimal refurbishment between missions. Following stage separation, all 24 satellites were successfully deployed into low Earth orbit, marking another smooth addition to the Starlink network.

Vandenberg Space Force Base has become one of the busiest launch facilities in the nation, with SpaceX missions departing the Central Coast with remarkable regularity. For residents along the 805 corridor and beyond, nighttime launches often produce a stunning visual spectacle, with the rocket's exhaust plume glowing against the darkened sky as it climbs toward orbit.

This latest success underscores SpaceX's continued momentum and Vandenberg's critical role in supporting the nation's commercial space ambitions. For those who missed this launch or are eager to witness the next one in person, upcoming Vandenberg launch information can be found at 805.life.