SpaceX Marks 60 Launches from Vandenberg Space Base

Today marks a milestone for SpaceX and its expanding team of engineers, astronauts, and investors. The company successfully completed its 60th mission of the year from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, setting a new annual cadence record and furthering its mission to make space travel reliable, safe, affordable, and accessible to the masses.

60th Flight Details

The launch, which took place at Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at 12:28 a.m. EST, set a new internal record for the company and the launch station. SpaceX has steadily increased its launch cadence over the last year across multiple sites. This latest launch demonstrated their reusable rockets and was part of the Starlink 15-10 mission set.

Starlink 15-10 Mission

The Starlink 15-10 mission expanded the Group 15-10 satellite constellation via the addition of 27 Starlink v2 Mini satellites. The V2 Minis are seen as an intermediary between the larger V2 version and the original Starlink constellation.

The V2 Mini satellites measure roughly 2.7 meters in width and serve as a bridge between the larger V2 Full satellites and the previous V1.5 design. They include upgraded E-band and Ka-band antennas and deliver up to 4× the capacity of V1.5 satellites.

Additionally, they support Ka-band for high-frequency data transmission, enabling them to operate like a cell phone network in space. Notably, the V2 Minis provide 4x the communication capacity compared to the V1.5 constellations currently in use.

The Group 15-10 constellation follows the polar low-Earth orbit (LEO). It is designed to operate using a 70-degree inclination shell, which enables it to provide coverage to remote regions of Alaska, northern Canada, and Scandinavia. Notably, SpaceX can launch +20 V2 mini satellites at a time using the Falcon 9 rocket system.

Falcon 9

The Falcon 9 is a dual-stage rocket that is capable of carrying various payloads into orbit. It’s part of SpaceX’s reusable rockets, and it’s been vital in demonstrating the safety and reliability of these systems. This particular rocket was the Falcon 9 Block 5.

This rocket has already been used to successfully ferry communication, scientific, and military satellites for various clients, including enterprises, researchers, and governments. Additionally, it has sent hundreds of Starlink satellites into orbit.

Falcon 9 First Stage Booster

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The Falcon 9’s first stage booster was of particular interest. Enthusiasts noticed that it was booster B1081. This particular booster has now made 20 flights for various missions, including Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, NROL, and additional Starlink operations.

Droneship

Following its launch and separation, B1081 landed successfully on the ocean-docked droneship, named “Of Course I Still Love You.” This autonomous spaceport droneship migrated operations from Florida to the Port of Long Beach, California, in 2021.

The droneship can support up to 9 rocket landings, lowering operating costs. It’s tied to its location by a tug boat, usually 5 days before launch, and has successfully handled 166 landings. However, it can also be loaded onto heavy lift vessels like the Mighty Servant 1 for longer journeys, like from Florida to California.

Falcon 9 Upper Stage

Falcon 9’s upper stage rocket continued on its mission with success. In total, it deployed 27 new Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. This craft travels using a Merlin 1D Vacuum engine paired with Nitrogen gas thrusters, which enable the vehicle to coast, land safely, and maneuver. Impressively, it only took 62 minutes for the rocket to reach its deployment trajectory.

Starlink

Starlink has become a leading provider of communications and data services across the globe. This satellite network now includes 8,600 devices with plans to expand the network to as many as 40,000 satellites in the future. It’s unique for several reasons, including the integration of a direct satellite-to-satellite laser-based communications system.

Recently, the network added support for direct-to-cell technology, providing 4G data to its capabilities. This addition was a major milestone as it leveraged cellphone protocols, allowing mobile phone coverage in the most remote areas of the world without the need for special satellite phones.

Since its launch, Starlink has proven to be a critical communications tool during times of uncertainty like natural disasters or conflicts. The low-latency high-speed internet network continues to expand, with over 8 million subscribers already locked in for service this year.

Why SpaceX is Vital to Space Exploration

SpaceX continues to lead the enterprise space market with this latest launch, seen as an important milestone. The company has set out to prove that space isn’t limited to only a select few. Its reusable craft has shown that it’s no longer risky, but rather routine to travel to space, completely altering most people’s perception of the journey.

Reusable Rockets Changed Everything

At the core of SpaceX’s successes is its use of reusable rockets. Anyone who has seen these rockets in operation can attest to the visual marvel of watching these craft perfectly land on a floating station minutes after launch. More importantly, they substantially lowered the cost of sending items into space.

In the past, rockets were one-time-use items. This meant that all the expenses of a space journey were destined to become waste only minutes after they launched. This situation led to several concerns, including added costs, environmental impact, and safety issues.

The introduction of reusable rockets lowered the overall cost per flight, opening the door for more accessibility. It also eliminated the waste that old rockets created after they plummeted back into the ocean or fell to the earth. All of these factors contributed to increased launch frequency, transforming the industry.

New Benchmark

SpaceX continues to set the pace for space expansion. The frequency of their launches and success rates is seen as a benchmark for other nations seeking to follow suit. Already, nations like China and India have successfully achieved monumental goals for their space agencies this year. However, there is no competitor even close to the frequency and success rate SpaceX achieved.

SpaceX History and Leadership

SpaceX’s founder, Elon Musk, is well known in the tech sector and as one of the wealthiest men in the world. He launched SpaceX in May 2002, following the successful sale of PayPal. Reports show that he directly funded the company’s launch from funds obtained from the sale of PayPal.

SpaceX has had an interesting history, with its first Falcon 1 project taking three attempts before successfully achieving orbit. This launch marked a major turning point for the company as it opened the door to NASA contracts and more. Fast forward to 2015, and the Falcon 9 booster rocket successfully lands, sparking the imagination of the entire industry.

Musk has been pivotal in maintaining the company’s innovative expertise and investor appeal. He shares his often lofty goals with the public, consistently entices new investment capital, despite many of the aspirations taking much longer than promised.

It’s Been a Busy Year

It’s been a busy year for SpaceX. The company successfully conducted hundreds of launches of its new booster system. This particular landing marks the 542nd successful booster landing to date. Notably, the regularity and success rate of these launches have helped to build confidence in space commerce and helped the company lock in government contracts.

East Coast Operations

SpaceX is active across the US. On the East Coast alone, the company has conducted 94 Falcon 9 missions. Specifically, these missions took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. These locations are ideal due to their proximity to each other and optimal orbital access.

Starship Testing and Operations in Texas

SpaceX is also active in Texas. Here, it has begun testing for its Starship megarocket. This enhanced craft would kick the payload and performance to new levels once integrated into SpaceX’s current operations. To date, all Texas operations have been launched from the Starbase complex in Southern Texas.

Vandenberg – More Launches in 2026

Vandenberg may have had a great 2025, but next year is set to see even more launches as the U.S. Air Force approved a plan in October that could push the base up to 100 launches per year. Interestingly, these launches could include the Falcon Heavy and will cover commercial activities, scientific research, and government missions.

Space Travel is Changing Fast

SpaceX continues to reshape what it means to travel in space, and over the last few years, it has successfully demonstrated that it can be consistent, safe, and accessible to the masses. As such, they have become the market frontrunner, setting the pace for the quickly expanding space commerce market.

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