SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites from California, marking the first Falcon 9 mission for the constellation since September 19.
Key facts
- •The launch occurred at 8:28 p.m. EDT on October 12 from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
- •Booster B1088 completed its 20th successful landing on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You."
- •SpaceX plans to eventually replace the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets with the Starship system.
- •The Starlink constellation currently includes more than 11,100 active satellites.
- •The previous Falcon 9 Starlink mission took place on September 19.
SpaceX launched 27 Starlink internet satellites into low Earth orbit on October 12. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 8:28 p.m. EDT. This mission ended a three-week pause in Falcon 9 Starlink launches, a significant gap compared to the company's recent high-frequency launch schedule.
By the numbers
Launch Details and Booster Recovery
The Falcon 9 first stage, designated B1088, successfully landed on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. This flight marked the 20th launch and landing for this specific booster. The rocket's upper stage deployed the 27 satellites into orbit 62 minutes after the launch.
Transition to Starship
While the Falcon 9 has been the primary vehicle for Starlink missions, SpaceX is preparing to transition these duties to its Starship megarocket. Starship successfully deployed 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites during its 14th test flight on September 28. Elon Musk has stated that the future Starlink V3 constellation, intended to reach approximately 100,000 satellites, will be launched exclusively via Starship.
Launch Statistics
The October 12 mission was the 112th Falcon 9 launch of 2026 and the 82nd dedicated to the Starlink constellation. Currently, the Starlink network comprises more than 11,100 active satellites. In 2025, the Falcon 9 completed 165 flights, with nearly 75% of those missions supporting the Starlink program.
Timeline
- August 19 – September 6SpaceX launched seven Starlink missions over a 19-day period.
- September 19SpaceX conducted its last Falcon 9 Starlink mission before the recent three-week pause.
- September 28Starship deployed 26 next-gen Starlink V3 satellites during its 14th test flight.
- October 12SpaceX resumed Falcon 9 Starlink launches with a 27-satellite mission from California.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Space.com.
