California is on the cusp of setting a new rocket launch record with the next SpaceX mission.
The next time the company's Falcon 9 rocket lifts off at the Vandenberg Space Force Base, it will be on the 72nd launch of 2026 in the state. That's good enough to surpass the total number of launches for 2025 in California, which became a state record.
In fact, that record-setting mission – coming after SpaceX also notched the record-tying launch over the weekend – could be hours away. SpaceX could then follow up that history-making mission with another Starlink internet satellite deployment later in the week.
Californians – and potentially Arizonans – making their plans to watch any launches should keep in mind that lots can change between now and when
each rocket is expected to lift off, as delays in spaceflight are common. Be sure to visit VC Star for the latest mission updates.
In the meantime, here's your weekly look at the upcoming launch schedule at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
Monday, Oct. 26: Starlink 15-16
- Agency: SpaceX
- Mission: Deploy 27 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, according to SpaceX
- Rocket: Falcon 9, a 230-foot, two-stage reusable rocket capable of carrying more than 50,000 pounds of cargo to low-Earth orbit
- Launch window: 9:45 p.m. PT Monday, Oct. 26, to 1:45 a.m. PT Tuesday, Oct. 27
- Rocket launch location: Space Launch Complex 4E from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California
- Booster landing: SpaceX drone ship, nicknamed "Of Course I Still Love You," in the Pacific Ocean
Thursday, Oct. 29: Starlink 15-18
- Agency: SpaceX
- Mission: Deploy 27 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, according to SpaceX
- Rocket: Falcon 9, a 230-foot, two-stage reusable rocket capable of carrying more than 50,000 pounds of cargo to low-Earth orbit
- Launch window: 9:02 p.m. PT Thursday, Oct. 29, to 1:02 a.m. PT Friday, Oct. 30
- Rocket launch location: Space Launch Complex 4E from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California
- Booster landing: SpaceX drone ship, nicknamed "Of Course I Still Love You," in the Pacific Ocean
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Record-setting rocket launch among 2 planned at Vandenberg this week
