SpaceX has tied California’s annual launch record. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 3:48 p.m. PDT, carrying 27 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit on a southeasterly trajectory.
The mission, Starlink 15-15, was the 71st rocket launch of 2026 in California, tying the annual record set in 2025, according to Space Force officials. It followed three scrubs: a technical issue on Tuesday, October 20, weather before fuelling on Wednesday, and a hold in the final seconds for weather on Thursday.
Booster B1063 flew its 36th flight on the mission, which Space.com counts as SpaceX’s 116th Falcon 9 launch of 2026. SpaceX added 1.6 million Starlink customers in the third quarter and is now active in 174 markets, chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell said on the October 20 earnings call.
With the record tied and months still to go in the year, California’s launch pace shows no sign of slowing.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.