SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch, Starlink satellites from Vandenberg, CA Space Force Base

April 14, 2026

SpaceX plans to launch 25 Starlink satellites from its Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday, just after sunset, which should be visible above Southern California.

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — SpaceX plans to launchanother batch of its Starlink internet satellites into low-earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The companyplans to launch 25 Starlink satellites from its Falcon 9 rocket.

According to SpaceX, it is targeting Monday, just after sunset, for a Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

SpaceX’s previous rocket launches were seen by many flying across Southern California skies, including a launch on April 6, around the same time after sunset that could be seen easily in the clear skies above San Diego.

Target for liftoff

The liftoff is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. PT.

Possible Delays: Rocket launches can often be delayed by a few minutes or to a future date due to several factors, including weather changes or any unexpected issues with the rocket.

This is the 21st flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, SpaceX said. The company said that following the stage separation, the first stage will land on the “Of Course I Still Love You” drone ship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on SpaceX.com.

Previous SpaceX launches

Previous Falcon 9 launches were live-streamed on the company’s website.

Photos from previous SpaceX launches seen over San Diego

PHOTOS | SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket above San Diego

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What is Falcon 9?

According to SpaceX, Falcon 9 is a “reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond.”

Falcon 9 is considered the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is “the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more,” according to the service’s website.

The “constellation” of satellites consists of thousands of satellites that orbit Earth at an altitude of about 550 km, or 341 3/4 miles.

The satellites connect to antennas that users set up at their homes to provide internet access.

WATCH RELATED: SpaceX rocket lights up Southern California Monday night