A Night Launch Over the Pacific
Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East came at 9:46 p.m. PDT (12:46 a.m. EDT), after SpaceX adjusted its launch window earlier in the evening. The rocket climbed away on a south-southwesterly trajectory, streaking through the night sky as it carried its 24-satellite payload toward low Earth orbit.
A Veteran Booster Does It Again
The first stage flying this mission was booster B1103, making its fifth trip to space. Its resume already included two national security flights, SDA-T1TL-E and NROL-179, plus two earlier Starlink missions, 17-35 and 17-42.
Nearly eight and a half minutes after liftoff, B1103 touched down on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You, stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Two Milestones in One Landing
The landing added two notable numbers to SpaceX's ledger. It was the 163rd recovery on Of Course I Still Love You, and the 648th Falcon booster landing overall.
Those figures underline how routine booster reuse has become. What was once the headline event of a SpaceX launch is now a reliable final act, and it is the economic engine behind the company's ability to fly West Coast missions at a once-a-week clip.
Why the Cadence Matters
Fifty-one West Coast launches before mid-August points to a record-setting year for SpaceX's California operations. Starlink missions make up the bulk of that traffic as the company keeps expanding and refreshing its satellite internet network, which serves customers across the globe.
Each batch of satellites either grows coverage or replaces older units being retired from orbit, keeping the constellation at full strength as subscriber demand climbs.
What Comes Next
More of the same, and quickly. SpaceX's launch schedule rarely leaves gaps of more than a few days, and Vandenberg's pad crews have turned high-frequency Starlink flights into standard practice. Booster B1103, now five flights in, will be inspected and readied to fly again.
FAQ
What did SpaceX launch on August 11?
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, on the Starlink 17-49 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
What time did the rocket lift off?
At 9:46 p.m. PDT on Tuesday night (12:46 a.m. EDT).
Did the booster land successfully?
Yes. Booster B1103 landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific about eight and a half minutes after liftoff, its fifth flight and landing.
How many booster landings has SpaceX completed?
This was the 648th Falcon booster landing overall and the 163rd on Of Course I Still Love You.
