AI Insight
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink broadband satellites into low Earth orbit on August 8, 2026, using a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission's first-stage booster, designated B1093, completed its 16th flight and landed on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. The satellites were deployed about 61 minutes after launch, contributing to the Starlink megaconstellation which now consists of more than 10,900 active satellites.
Why it matters
This launch represents continued expansion of the world's largest satellite internet network, aimed at providing global broadband coverage, particularly to underserved and remote areas. The successful reuse of the booster for its 16th flight demonstrates advancing rocket reusability technology, reducing launch costs and increasing mission frequency.
Understand the Science
SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink broadband satellites to orbit today (Aug. 8) from California’s scenic central coast.
A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base today at 12:35 p.m. EDT (1635 GMT; 9:35 a.m. local time), carrying 24 of the internet-beaming spacecraft to low Earth orbit (LEO).
The rocket’s first stage returned to Earth as planned about 8.5 minutes later, landing in the Pacific Ocean atop the SpaceX droneship “Of Course I Still Love You.” It was the 16th flight for this particular booster, which is designated B1093.
B1093’s most recent flight before today was on July 14, when it launched 27 Starlink satellites to LEO from Vandenberg.
Meanwhile, the Falcon 9’s upper stage continued carrying the 24 Starlink satellites toward LEO today, deploying them about 61 minutes after liftoff as planned.
SDA-T1TL-B | SDA-T1TL-C | Transporter-16 | 12 Starlink missions
Today’s launch was the 92nd Falcon 9 liftoff of 2026, and the 71st of the year devoted to building out the Starlink megaconstellation.
Starlink, by far the largest orbiting network ever assembled, currently consists of more than 10,900 active satellites — and it’s growing all the time.
Source: SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California (video)