Vandenberg Space Force Base in California will host a Falcon 9 launch early Saturday morning, sending 27 Starlink satellites into low‑Earth orbit. The launch window runs from 12:25 a.m. to 4:25 a.m. on August 22, 2026, from Space Launch Complex 4 East.
SpaceX will stream a live webcast about ten minutes before liftoff, available on the company’s X/Twitter account. After first‑stage separation, the booster will attempt a return landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” drone ship positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
Launch details and history
This mission marks the ninth flight for the specific Falcon 9 booster. Previously, the same booster launched the NROL‑105 national‑security payload and seven earlier Starlink missions.
Residents in the surrounding region may hear one or more sonic booms as the vehicle ascends, though the distance the sound travels will depend on weather and atmospheric conditions at launch time.
What to expect
- Launch window: 12:25 a.m. – 4:25 a.m. (Saturday, Aug. 22)
- Location: Space Launch Complex 4 East, Vandenberg SFB
- Payload: 27 Starlink satellites for low‑Earth orbit
- Booster recovery: “Of Course I Still Love You” drone ship
Space enthusiasts can watch the launch live via the provided webcast link or by following SpaceX’s official X/Twitter feed.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
