Starlink 26
Falcon 9 Block 5
SpaceX
Rocket Launch Videos
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
Mission
Starlink 26 & Rideshare
- Type: Communications
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
- Launch Cost: $52,000,000
Learn more about the Starlink mission
A batch of 52 satellites for Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system. Two rideshare satellites are also on this flight: a Capella radar observation spacecraft and a small payload from the California-based smallsat manufacturer Tyvak.
Location
Launch Complex 39A
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Find the best place to watch the launch from Florida
Launch Complex 39A has witnessed the launch of 221 rockets, including 220 orbital launch attempts. While Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA, has been the site for 279 rocket launches.
The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
Rocket
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
Landing
Core B1058
B1058 landed on ASDS JRTI after its 8th launch. Booster B1058 last launched 12/23/2023
and has seen 19 successful launches and landings. Booster first flown during the DEMO-2 mission. Only booster featuring the NASA worm logo.
Written off after toppled by rough seas during transport on 25 December 2023 after safely landing aboard JRTI.
Of Course I Still Love You - OCISLY
The second ASDS barge, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) services launches in the Pacific Ocean and was the site of the first landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage during CRS-8, the launch of a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station.
Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship - ASDS
An autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) is an ocean-going vessel derived from a deck barge, outfitted with station-keeping engines and a large landing platform. Construction of such ships was commissioned by aerospace company SpaceX to allow for recovery of rocket first-stages at sea for high-velocity missions which do not carry enough fuel to return to the launch site after lofting spacecraft onto an orbital trajectory.
Agency
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX operates from many pads, on the East Coast of the US they operate from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. They also operate from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is being developed at Boca Chica, Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Falcon 9 launch scheduled?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 launch carrying the Starlink 26 & Rideshare mission was scheduled for:
.
Where can I watch the Falcon 9 launch video?
You can watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the Falcon 9 launch from?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA. The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
What rocket was used for the Starlink 26 & Rideshare mission?
The Starlink 26 & Rideshare mission launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the Falcon 9 booster attempt a landing?
Yes, the Falcon 9 first stage booster attempted a Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship at a designated landing zone. Booster recovery allows SpaceX to reuse rocket components, significantly reducing launch costs. Learn more about the landing details.
What weather conditions could have delayed this launch?
The Falcon 9 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the launch is delayed?
This page is updated in real-time with the latest launch status, including any delays or scrubs. You can also check our space launch schedule for the most current information. Enable push notifications through our mobile app to receive instant alerts about launch status changes, weather holds, or new launch times. We recommend following official live streams for the most immediate range updates.
