SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 17-29 Mission from Vandenberg
Summary: SpaceX's Falcon 9 successfully launched the Starlink 17-29 mission on May 5, 2026 (UTC May 6), deploying 24 Starlink broadband satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission used booster B1081, marking its 24th flight, with a successful landing on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You.
Mission Overview
The Starlink 17-29 mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 8:59:19 p.m. PDT on May 5 (03:59:19 UTC on May 6). The Falcon 9 flew a south-southwesterly trajectory to deploy 24 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, expanding the constellation that now comprises more than 10,000 active satellites.
Booster Recovery
First stage booster B1081 — one of SpaceX's most-flown boosters — previously supported NASA's Crew-7, PACE, and CRS-29 missions. This launch marked its 24th flight. Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, B1081 landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You stationed in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast.
This landing was the 195th successful recovery on OCISLY and the 609th overall booster recovery for SpaceX.
May Starlink Launch Summary
SpaceX has conducted multiple Starlink missions in May 2026:
- May 1: Falcon 9 — Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — Starlink 17-28 (24 satellites)
- May 5: Falcon 9 — Vandenberg Space Force Base — Starlink 17-29 (24 satellites, this mission)