SpaceX Launches 25 Starlink Satellites from Vandenberg Sunday
The U.S. Space Force has cleared SpaceX to launch a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg on Sunday, April 5, 2026. The launch window runs from 4:03 p.m. to 8:03 p.m. PT.
The mission, Starlink 17-35, will deploy 25 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. Liftoff will take place from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E).
The first-stage booster on this flight is making its maiden flight. SpaceX plans to recover the stage on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You.
The droneship will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean for the recovery attempt. A live webcast begins about five minutes before liftoff.
Viewers can watch at https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-17-35, on X @SpaceX, or via the X TV app. Residents in nearby counties may hear launch effects.
Officials caution that people in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties might hear one or more sonic booms. Weather and other factors will determine whether booms occur.
Vandenberg’s mission and national security role
Vandenberg Space Force Base functions as a critical national security spaceport. It enables assured access to space for military and government users.
Operations at Vandenberg support nuclear deterrence, homeland defense, and global command and control of space assets. The base also conducts orbital tracking and training.
Personnel there include space operations Guardians and nuclear Airmen who train and execute those missions.
Mission specifics
- Date: Sunday, April 5, 2026.
- Launch window: 4:03 p.m. to 8:03 p.m. PT.
- Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base.
- Vehicle: Falcon 9, first stage making its debut.
- Payload: 25 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit.
- Recovery: Droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific.
- Webcast: starts ~5 minutes before liftoff at the SpaceX launch page, X @SpaceX, and X TV app.
Filmogaz.com will update the story with launch results and recovery outcomes. Check back for post-launch coverage.
