Rocket launches from California continue to thrive at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. As we progress through June, at least three additional launches are being planned, with the possibility of more being added to the schedule throughout the month.
Earlier in June, SpaceX successfully launched three Falcon 9 rockets to deploy Starlink satellites into orbit. The next deployment is set for Monday, June 16, with the launch window scheduled for 8:36 p.m. PT. This mission, known as Starlink 15-9, will deploy Starlink V2 mini satellites into low-Earth orbit using the Falcon 9 rocket, which stands at 230 feet and consists of two stages. The booster will land on SpaceX’s drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean.
Following that, on Friday, June 20, SpaceX is planning to conduct a dedicated rideshare mission known as Transporter 14. This launch, taking place at 2:19 p.m. PT, will deliver dozens of small satellites to a sun-synchronous orbit, catering to paying customers. The Falcon 9 rocket will also facilitate this mission, returning to the launch site for its booster landing.
In addition to these upcoming launches, a mission to deploy the Luxembourg military reconnaissance satellite NAOS is also in the works, with a launch window yet to be announced.
It’s important to note that while these launches are scheduled, they can frequently be delayed due to factors such as weather conditions or technical issues. Therefore, it is advisable to stay updated with the latest information, which can often be found on various online platforms tracking space missions.
The continuous activity at Vandenberg Space Force Base not only highlights the advances in space technology but also reflects the growing interest and investment in satellite technologies, especially through SpaceX. As we look forward to these exciting launches, there remains a hopeful sense of progress in both commercial space travel and satellite deployment efforts.