SpaceX is preparing to achieve a significant milestone with the launch of its 500th Starlink satellite during the upcoming Falcon 9 flight scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, 2026. The mission, known as Starlink 17-26, will contribute 25 additional broadband satellites to the expanding constellation, which is approaching a total of 10,000 spacecraft in low Earth orbit. This launch marks a pivotal moment for SpaceX, reflecting its ongoing commitment to enhancing global satellite internet access.
The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 4 East at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is planned for 6:17:49 a.m. PST (9:17:49 a.m. EST / 14:17:49 UTC), with the Falcon 9 rocket expected to follow a southerly trajectory as it ascends into space.
Details of the Launch
The Falcon 9 rocket utilized for this mission will feature the first stage booster designated with the tail number 1093. This particular booster is making its 11th flight, having previously supported two missions for the Space Development Agency and eight batches of Starlink satellites.
Shortly after liftoff, approximately eight minutes into the flight, booster B1093 is slated to return and attempt a landing on the drone ship named Of Course I Still Love You, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. If successful, this will mark the 180th landing on this vessel, contributing to SpaceX’s impressive record of 577 booster landings to date.
Coverage of the Starlink 17-26 mission will be provided live by Spaceflight Now, beginning approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled liftoff. As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space technology, this launch not only exemplifies the company’s innovative capabilities but also reinforces its role in the future of global communications.
As the constellation grows, the impact of Starlink’s services is expected to reach more users worldwide, with a focus on providing high-speed internet to underserved and remote areas. This launch, and the milestones associated with it, underscore SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to make satellite internet accessible to a broader audience, potentially transforming the way people connect and communicate across the globe.
