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SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites as Falcon 9 cadence declines ahead of Starship transition

Confirmed1 source · Oct 23, 2026

SpaceX deployed its latest Starlink batch from California on October 23, marking a continuation of reduced launch frequency as the company shifts focus toward its larger Starship vehicle.

SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites as Falcon 9 cadence declines ahead of Starship transition
Image via Space.com

What happened

SpaceX launched Starlink Group 15-15 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on October 23 at 3:48 p.m. local time, carrying 27 satellites to low Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The first stage booster B1063 successfully landed on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" for its 36th landing. This launch was the 116th Falcon 9 flight in 2026, with approximately three-quarters dedicated to Starlink missions.

Context

SpaceX's Starlink launch tempo has slowed significantly as the company pivots resources toward Starship development. Missions that previously flew every two to three days now occur every two to three weeks; the most recent Starlink launch before today occurred 11 days prior, itself marking the first mission in over three weeks. This reduced cadence reflects SpaceX's strategy to phase out Falcon 9 operations once Starship reaches operational status, as Starship's larger payload bay will accommodate upgraded Version 3 Starlink satellites too large for Falcon 9. The company completed 165 Falcon 9 launches in 2025, likely its busiest year for that vehicle, and is projected to fly approximately 150 missions by the end of 2026. SpaceX's constellation now comprises over 11,000 active satellites.