ORBITDECKMission Intelligence
SpaceX mission patch
SpaceXB1100GO

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 15-20

Pad: Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

Mission StatusUTC / SYNCED
MISSION WINDOW CONCLUDED
Falcon 9 Liftoff with Dragon Spacecraft
Falcon 9
Liftoff

Falcon 9 Liftoff with Dragon Spacecraft

Photo: SpaceX

Official Live Launch Webcast

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 15-20 Live Coverage

Official Webcast Feed Scheduled

Live broadcast embeds typically go live 15 to 20 minutes prior to launch window liftoff. Check the official SpaceX channels or Spaceflight Now for live feeds.

Host: SpaceX Flight OpsWindow: Sat, 22 Aug 2026 07:25:00 GMT
Status: GO

🛰️ Mission Orbital & Environment Matrix

Target Orbit
LEO
Target Altitude
550 km
Inclination
53.2°
Weather Violation Risk
10%
Primary Payload
Starlink Group 15-20
Launch Window
Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 07:25 AM UTC – 11:25 AM UTC

♻️ Hardware Reusability & Recovery Matrix

Booster Core
B1100
Flight Count
Operational Flight
Recovery Strategy
ASDS
Fairing Recovery
Flight Proven
Landing Vessel / Zone
Designated Landing Zone

⏱️ Operational Timeline Milestones & Staging Sequence

Target T-0: 2026-08-22

Terminal Count

T-00:15:00

Autonomous launch sequence start

Auto Sequence

T-00:03:00

Flight computer assumes control

Liftoff

T-00:00:00

Stage 1 main engine ignition & liftoff

MECO & Stage Sep

T+00:02:40

Main engine cut-off and stage separation

Stage 1 Landing

T+00:08:30

Booster touchdown on recovery vessel / zone

Payload Deploy

T+00:45:00

Spacecraft insertion into target orbit

Launch Complex & Spaceport

Space Launch Complex 4E

Vandenberg Space Force Base · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Satellite Map ↗
Vandenberg SLC-4E Coastal Liftoff
Launch Mount

Vandenberg SLC-4E Coastal Liftoff

Falcon 9 ascending from Space Launch Complex 4E overlooking the Pacific coastline at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Photo Credit: U.S. Space Force / Michael Peterson

SLC-4E is the premier West Coast spaceport for polar, sun-synchronous (SSO), and retrograde orbital insertions. Situated on a dramatic coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it enables rockets to fly south over open ocean without crossing populated landmasses.

Operator
U.S. Space Force / SpaceX
Elevation
112 meters (ASL)
Azimuth Range
140°
Flight History
120+ Polar Missions

Key Pad Facilities & Ground Support Equipment (GSE)

Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4)Concrete booster landing pad located just 400 meters from the active launch mount for immediate RTLS recovery.
Pacific Overlook StrongbackHeavy transporter erector engineered for coastal high-wind resistance and marine salt fog mitigation.
Polar Optical Tracking ArrayRadar and high-speed telemetry optical suites tracking southern trajectory azimuths.