Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
May 16, 2025
On Friday, May 16 at 6:43 a.m., Falcon 9 launched 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
This was the second flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched two Starlink missions.
The conditions were foggy with low visibility, but the launch can be viewed online here.
SpaceX Plans for Early Friday Morning Launch
By the edhat staff
May 15, 2025
SpaceX is targeting Friday, May 16 for a Falcon 9 launch of 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Liftoff is targeted for 6:43 a.m., with a backup opportunity at 6:50 a.m.. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Saturday, May 17 starting at 10:32 a.m..
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
This will be the second flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched one Starlink mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.
I didn’t see anything other than the fog/clouds… Watching the YouTube vid it was obvious nobody was able to see it from the ground in CA., it was pretty impressive how much was under cloud cover.
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