Vandenberg Space Force Base, United States – SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit on Wednesday night, continuing the expansion of its global internet network.

The rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at 8:23 p.m. PDT on April 22, 2026, traveling south over the Pacific Ocean in a bright nighttime display visible across much of Southern California. About one hour after liftoff, all 24 satellites were successfully deployed, pushing the total number of Starlink spacecraft in orbit closer to 9,000.

The first-stage booster, on its fifth flight, completed its mission and landed on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific. Earlier in the week, SpaceX achieved its 600th successful booster landing on a separate mission, highlighting its continued reuse of Falcon 9 stages.

This mission, designated Starlink Group 17-14, adds capacity over the Americas and Pacific regions. Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency internet to remote and underserved areas, including rural regions, maritime operations, aviation and disaster zones, with hundreds of thousands of active terminals across dozens of countries.

The satellites launched are part of the latest generation, equipped with improved laser inter-satellite links that enhance data routing and overall network performance.

The launch took place without incident, with live broadcasts on X and the SpaceX website attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers. Along the California coast, spectators captured the glowing exhaust plume as it illuminated the night sky.

The U.S. Space Force, which operates Vandenberg, continues to support frequent launches while managing national security missions. The base remains a key spaceport for both government and commercial operations.

Concerns have been raised by astronomers about the brightness of Starlink satellites affecting observations, while regulators monitor issues such as orbital debris and radio interference. SpaceX has introduced darker coatings and operational changes to address these concerns.

Demand for Starlink remains strong, with the service proving valuable in conflict zones like Ukraine and in remote regions across Africa, South America and Pacific islands.

SpaceX plans dozens more launches in 2026 as it continues building a constellation expected to grow to tens of thousands of satellites. The addition of these 24 satellites is expected to improve coverage and performance for users worldwide.

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