SpaceX launch planned for the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission for the Italian Space Agency from its Falcon 9 rocket on Friday, Jan 2.
SAN DIEGO — SpaceX plans to launch another batch of its Starlink internet satellites into low-earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday, January 2, 2026.
The company plans a launch for the Italian Space Agency from its Falcon 9 rocket.
According to SpaceX, it is targeting Friday for a Falcon 9 launch of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
SpaceX’s previous rocket launches were seen by many flying across Southern California skies.
Target for liftoff
The liftoff is scheduled for Friday at 6:09 p.m. PT. If needed, an additional launch opportunity is available the following day on Jan 3 at the same tme.
Possible Delays: Rocket launches can often be delayed by a few minutes or to a future date due to several factors, including weather changes or any unexpected issues with the rocket.
This is the 21st flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, SpaceX said. The company said that following the stage separation, the first stage will land back at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on SpaceX.com.
Previous SpaceX launches
Previous Falcon 9 launches were live-streamed on the company’s website.
Photos from previous SpaceX launches seen over San Diego
PHOTOS | SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket above San Diego
What is Falcon 9?
According to SpaceX, Falcon 9 is a “reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond.”
Falcon 9 is considered the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is “the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more,” according to the service’s website.
The “constellation” of satellites consists of thousands of satellites that orbit Earth at an altitude of about 550 km, or 341 3/4 miles.
The satellites connect to antennas that users set up at their homes to provide internet access.
WATCH RELATED: SpaceX rocket lights up Southern California Monday night
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