SpaceX launch planned for the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission for the Italian Space Agency from its Falcon 9 rocket on Friday, Jan 2.<\/p>\n
SAN DIEGO \u2014 SpaceX plans to launch\u00a0<\/strong>another batch<\/a> of its Starlink internet satellites into low-earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday,<\/strong>\u00a0January 2, 2026.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The company\u00a0<\/strong>plans a launch for the Italian Space Agency<\/strong><\/a> from its Falcon 9 rocket.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to SpaceX, it is targeting\u00a0Friday\u00a0<\/strong>for a Falcon 9 launch of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence\u00a0<\/strong>to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.<\/p>\n SpaceX’s previous rocket launches were seen by many flying across Southern California skies.<\/p>\n
The liftoff is scheduled for Friday\u00a0<\/strong>at 6:09<\/strong>\u00a0p.m. PT.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0If needed, an additional launch opportunity is available the following day on Jan 3 at the same tme.<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is the\u00a021st<\/strong>\u00a0flight f<\/strong>or the first stage booster supporting this mission, SpaceX said. \u00a0The company said that following the stage separation, the first stage will land back at Vandenberg Space Force Base.<\/p>\n A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on SpaceX.com<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Previous Falcon 9 launches were live-streamed on the company’s website.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n
PHOTOS | SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket above San Diego<\/p>\n
According to SpaceX, Falcon 9 is a \u201creusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n Falcon 9 is considered the world\u2019s first orbital-class reusable rocket.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n The “constellation” of satellites consists of thousands of satellites that orbit Earth at an altitude of about 550 km, or 341 3\/4 miles. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The satellites connect to antennas that users set up at their homes to provide internet access. \u00a0<\/p>\n WATCH RELATED: SpaceX rocket lights up Southern California Monday night<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0 ADD THE CBS8+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE \u00a0Roku | Amazon Fire<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\nTarget for liftoff <\/p>\n
\nPrevious SpaceX launches <\/p>\n
\nPhotos from previous SpaceX launches seen over San Diego <\/p>\n
\nWhat is Falcon 9? <\/p>\n
\nWhat is Starlink? <\/p>\n
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