Now that August is here, don't expect SpaceX to ease off the record-setting pace it's helped set for rocket launches in California.
Already, the commercial spaceflight company is kicking off the new month with plans for at least two rocket launches in the first week alone at the Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Both missions will rely on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket – the most active in the world – to deliver batches of Starlink internet satellites to its massive constellation in Earth orbit.
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.
Tuesday, Aug. 4: Starlink 17-53
- Agency: SpaceX
- Mission: Deploy 24 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: 7 to 11 a.m. PT Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026
- 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
Saturday, Aug. 8: Starlink 17-38
- Agency: SpaceX
- Mission: Deploy 24 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: 7 to 11 a.m. PT Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026
- 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: What's launching this week from California? See Vandenberg rocket schedule
