SpaceX will launch the Starlink 17-40 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday at 7:36 a.m. PDT, deploying 24 broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket, utilizing booster B1088, is scheduled to land on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ in the Pacific Ocean following the deployment.
When is the Starlink 17-40 launch scheduled?
The liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East is set for 7:36 a.m. PDT (10:36 a.m. EDT). According to SpaceX mission parameters, the Falcon 9 will follow a south-southwesterly trajectory immediately after clearing the launch pad.
Live coverage of the event is expected to begin approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled ignition. This mission represents the final Starlink flight for the current month.
How many Starlink satellites are currently in orbit?
SpaceX is set to add 24 more broadband internet satellites to its existing constellation during this mission. Data tracked by astronomer and orbital tracker Jonathan McDowell indicates that SpaceX currently maintains more than 10,700 satellites in low Earth orbit.
The rapid expansion of this network aims to provide global high-speed internet coverage. Each launch adds to the density of the constellation, which is a primary driver of SpaceX’s current flight frequency.
The drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ is one of SpaceX’s most active recovery vessels. If the landing for this mission succeeds, it will mark the 206th landing on this specific ship.
What makes the Falcon 9 booster B1088 significant?
The mission will utilize the Falcon 9 first stage booster with the tail number B1088. This upcoming flight marks the 17th time this specific booster has flown. Its previous missions include NASA’s SPHEREx, Transporter-12, and NROL-126.
Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, B1088 is expected to attempt a precision landing on the drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. Successful recovery of this booster would contribute to the company’s total of 630 booster landings recorded to date.
How has SpaceX’s launch frequency changed in 2026?
SpaceX is maintaining an aggressive launch cadence. Following the Starlink 17-40 mission, the company will have completed 75 Falcon 9 launches in the first half of 2026. Of those 75 launches, 59 were dedicated specifically to the Starlink constellation.
This data shows that approximately 78% of SpaceX’s total launch volume in the first half of the year is driven by Starlink deployment. The monthly breakdown of Starlink missions compared to total monthly launches reveals the following trend:
- January: 9 Starlink launches out of 13 total
- February: 11 Starlink launches out of 12 total
- March: 13 Starlink launches out of 15 total
- April: 9 Starlink launches out of 11 total
- May: 8 Starlink launches out of 11 total
- June: 10 Starlink launches out of 13 total (including Starlink 17-40)
This high ratio of Starlink-to-total launches highlights how the company’s operational rhythm is heavily dictated by the growth of its internet satellite network.
Pro Tip for Space Enthusiasts
To track real-time orbital changes, follow specialized trackers like Jonathan McDowell, who provides updated statistics on the exact number of active satellites in various orbital shells.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Starlink 17-40 mission?
The mission’s primary goal is to deploy 24 new broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit to expand SpaceX’s global internet network.
Where does the Falcon 9 rocket land?
The first stage booster, B1088, is targeted to land on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ located in the Pacific Ocean.
How many satellites does SpaceX have in space?
According to orbital tracker Jonathan McDowell, SpaceX has more than 10,700 satellites currently in orbit.
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