SpaceX has another Falcon 9 on the pad tonight. The Starlink 15-27 mission is set to lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with the launch window opening at 6:47 p.m. PDT.
The rocket will carry 27 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into low-Earth orbit, continuing the steady buildout of SpaceX’s internet constellation. It’s the same mission profile SpaceX flew from the same pad earlier this month, when veteran booster B1063 carried 27 Starlinks on its 35th flight.
The booster flying tonight, B1093, is making its 17th flight, having previously launched a mix of Starlink batches plus the SDA Tranche 1 transport layer missions and Transporter-16. After stage separation, it’ll aim for a landing on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific.
If you’re in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, or Ventura counties, keep an ear out. SpaceX says sonic booms are possible during the return, depending on weather.
It’s been a busy stretch for SpaceX. The company just slipped Starship Flight 14 to September 28, and locked in a $946 million NASA deal for three more crew flights to the space station. Tonight’s launch keeps the Falcon 9 cadence going while Starship waits on regulatory approval.
As usual, SpaceX will stream the launch live starting about 10 minutes before liftoff.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. — Buying a new Tesla? Click here to save $1,000 USD, while supporting independent news.
Help support us by shopping on Amazon here.
Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent media!
