Launch Update

As of October 20, 2026, SpaceX has postponed the launch of 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base due to a technical issue. The new launch window is now set for Wednesday, October 21, at 2:59 PM PDT (5:59 PM EDT / 2159 UTC).

The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to follow a southeasterly trajectory upon liftoff and will aim to land on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas approximately 8.5 minutes post-launch. This mission marks the 36th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster B1063, making it only the second booster to achieve such a milestone.

Live coverage of the launch will start 30 minutes prior to the scheduled liftoff.

Starlink Expansion and Recent Performance

During a recent third-quarter earnings call, Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s Chief Operating Officer, announced that the company had added 1.6 million new Starlink customers in just three months. This expansion highlighted the service’s active presence across 174 global markets.

Shotwell emphasized the significant impact of Starlink, particularly in providing connectivity for educational institutions and emergency response scenarios: “This number does not include additional hundreds of thousands of enterprise subscribers and aviation customers.”

As of the end of Q3 2026, SpaceX reported having over 11,100 Starlink satellites operating in low Earth orbit, which includes 26 new Version 3 satellites launched during Starship Flight 14.

Financial Insights and Future Developments

In the financial filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company detailed connectivity revenues for the quarter at $5.2 billion, representing a 22% increase compared to the previous quarter. This growth can be attributed to the expanding satellite constellation alongside costs associated with Starlink Kit deliveries and marketing efforts.

“The Starship launcher itself will provide additional capacity across markets and enable new sales in high-demand areas,” stated Shotwell, underscoring the importance of the satellite roadmap for the company’s future growth.

SpaceX Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen highlighted that ramping up the flight rate of orbital Starship missions is crucial for enhancing their satellite internet services. Looking ahead, the deployment of Starlink V3 satellites will significantly increase capacity, with Starship launches expected to deliver over 20 times the downlink capacity of current Falcon 9 missions.

Looking Forward

Elon Musk anticipates that the next Starship launch will occur in November, featuring attempts to catch both the Ship and Super Heavy booster. The company is currently seeking FAA approval for this mission.