SpaceX Expands Starlink Network With Nighttime Falcon 9 Launch From California

SpaceX carried out a successful nighttime mission on May 19, 2026, launching 24 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from southern California.

A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 10:46 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The satellites, identified as Group 17-42, remained attached to the upper stage as they reached a preliminary orbit approximately 8 minutes and 40 seconds after liftoff.

About 50 minutes after launch, the 24 high-bandwidth internet satellites were scheduled for deployment into orbit as part of the expanding Starlink network.

The mission also included a successful booster landing. Falcon 9 booster 1103 completed its second flight and first reuse landing on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean.

The latest addition brings the Starlink constellation to just under 10,500 operational satellites, according to orbital tracking data.

The launch marked the company’s 58th mission of the year and the 651st successful launch since 2010.