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SpaceX exceeds 11,000 satellites in low Earth orbit

File photo of a Falcon 9 fueled for launch at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Image: SpaceX.Update 2:06 a.m. EDT (0706 UTC): SpaceX confirmed deployment of the satellites. SpaceX sent another batch of Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit with a launch Tuesday night launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket happened at 9:01 p.m. PDT (12:01 a.m. EDT / 0401 UTC). The rocket flew on a

Astrobitica August 18, 2026 (Last updated: August 18, 2026) 2 minutes read

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File photo of a Falcon 9 fueled for launch at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Image: SpaceX.

Update 2:06 a.m. EDT (0706 UTC): SpaceX confirmed deployment of the satellites.

SpaceX sent another batch of Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit with a launch Tuesday night launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket happened at 9:01 p.m. PDT (12:01 a.m. EDT / 0401 UTC). The rocket flew on a south-southwesterly trajectory upon leaving the pad at Space Launch Complex 4 East.

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The Starlink 17-50 mission added another 24 broadband internet satellites to the megaconstellation, bringing the total number of satellites currently in orbit to a little more than 11,000. Those include satellites that are either not fully operational, have failed, and are preparing for deorbiting.

SpaceX launched the mission using the Falcon 9 first stage booster B1097. This was its 12th flight after previously launching the Twilight and Transporter-17 rideshare missions; Sentinel-6B; NROL-172; and seven previous batches of Starlink satellites.

A little more than eight minutes after liftoff, B1097 landed on the droneship, Of Course I Still Love You, positioned in the Pacific Ocean. This was the 219th landing on this vessel and the 651st Falcon booster landing to date.