Starlink (15-24)

Starlink (15-24) on a Falcon 9 rocket

The Starlink (15-24) mission, carried out by SpaceX using a Falcon 9 rocket, is intended to deploy 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. All payloads belong to the same mission, and the objective of the launch is to place another group of satellites into orbit during a single flight from the west coast of the United States.

The launch is scheduled for September 6, 2026, at 12:59 p.m. Polish time, or 10:59 UTC. Falcon 9 is set to lift off from Space Launch Complex 4 East, SLC-4E, located at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission will carry a total of 27 Starlink satellites aboard the rocket.

Payload and objective of the Starlink (15-24) mission

The mission payload consists of a single group of 27 Starlink satellites. According to SpaceX information, their destination is low Earth orbit. Available data do not indicate any division into additional missions or the presence of other payloads sharing this launch.

In this case, the Starlink (15-24) card name, the primary mission, and the mission list all refer to the same flight. This means that Falcon 9 is being used to deploy one set of satellites, rather than to conduct a rideshare launch for several independent operators or space programs.

The most important feature of the mission's orbital segment is therefore the number of objects being launched simultaneously. Following the rocket's flight, 27 satellites are to be delivered to low Earth orbit. The SpaceX materials provided do not specify additional parameters of this orbit or details regarding the subsequent deployment of the individual satellites.

Falcon 9 and the launch profile from Vandenberg

SpaceX will use a Falcon 9 to carry out the mission. The first stage assigned to this launch is set to make its 19th flight. Previously, the same booster participated in the NROL-126, Transporter-12, SPHEREx, NROL-57, and USSF-366 missions, as well as 13 Starlink launches.

After separating from the upper stage, the Falcon 9 first stage is expected to attempt a landing on the autonomous platform Of Course I Still Love You. The drone ship will be located in the Pacific Ocean, meaning the booster will not return directly to the launch site at Vandenberg.

The technical nature of Starlink (15-24) is defined primarily by three elements: the simultaneous deployment of 27 satellites into low Earth orbit, the use of the first stage on its 19th flight, and the planned recovery of the booster on an ocean platform. SpaceX also indicates that one or more sonic booms may be audible in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties, although their perceived intensity will depend on weather conditions and other factors.