Vandenberg Space Force Base in California is set to host a historic Falcon 9 launch late Monday evening, delivering 27 Starlink satellites into low‑Earth orbit. The launch window opens at 9:45 p.m. PT on Monday, Oct. 26, and remains open until 1:45 a.m. PT on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Record‑setting annual launch count
This mission will push Vandenberg’s annual launch total to a new high. A Starlink launch on Friday, Oct. 23 tied the previous record, and the upcoming flight will break it, part of an ambitious plan to reach up to 100 launches per year from the West Coast spaceport.
Launch details and booster reuse
The Falcon 9 booster assigned to this flight is on its 26th flight. It previously launched the USSF‑62 mission, OneWeb Launch 20, NROL‑145, Transporter‑18, and two earlier Starlink missions. After stage separation, the booster will attempt a controlled landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
How to watch
A live webcast will begin about ten minutes before liftoff. Viewers can stream the launch on SpaceX’s X (formerly Twitter) account or via the link provided by Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Local impact
Residents in the surrounding area may hear sonic booms as the vehicle ascends. The distance the sound travels will depend on weather conditions at launch time, but officials advise those nearby to be prepared for brief noise.
Why it matters
The launch underscores the growing partnership between the U.S. military’s space facilities and private aerospace firms. By increasing launch cadence, Vandenberg supports national security, commercial broadband expansion through Starlink, and the broader U.S. space industry’s competitiveness.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
