VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, CA — SpaceX is poised to reach a monumental milestone in aerospace history today, February 14, 2026, as it prepares to launch its 600th Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, carrying a fresh batch of Starlink satellites, is scheduled for liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at 5:58:50 p.m. PST (8:58:50 p.m. EST).
This landmark flight comes just one day after the successful launch of the NASA Crew-12 mission, which saw four astronauts depart from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a Falcon 9 to begin their rotation on the International Space Station. The rapid turnaround between these two high-profile missions underscores SpaceX’s dominant cadence in the global launch market.
Mission Details and Payload
The primary payload for this evening’s flight consists of 25 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites. These units are designed to further expand the Starlink mega-constellation, which recently surpassed 8,900 satellites in orbit. The V2 Mini satellites provide increased bandwidth and improved data capacity compared to earlier iterations, supporting SpaceX’s goal of providing high-speed internet to the most remote corners of the globe.
Following the initial stage separation, the Falcon 9 first-stage booster is expected to attempt a precision landing on a drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This recovery process has become a hallmark of the Falcon 9 program, which utilizes a two-stage design standing 70 meters (229.6 feet) tall and capable of delivering over 22,800 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The Road to 600 Launches
The Falcon 9 has become the workhorse of modern space exploration since its debut. Key specifications that have enabled its reliability include:
- Thrust: Nine Merlin 1D engines producing over 1.7 million pounds of thrust at sea level.
- Structure: Aluminum-lithium alloy tanks with a liquid oxygen (LOX) monocoque structure.
- Reusability: The Block 5 variant, active since 2018, is designed for up to 20 or more flights per booster, significantly reducing the cost of access to space.
Industry analysts note that the 600th launch is not just a numerical achievement but a testament to the “sunk cost” philosophy of SpaceX R&D. By focusing on rapid iteration and reusability, the company has driven the price of a Falcon 9 launch down to approximately $69.75 million, a fraction of the cost of traditional expendable launch vehicles.
How to Watch
SpaceX will provide a live webcast of the mission starting approximately five minutes before liftoff. Viewers can tune in via the official SpaceX website or the company’s account on X (formerly Twitter). Given the clear weather forecasts for the California coast this Saturday evening, the “twilight phenomenon”—where the setting sun illuminates the rocket’s exhaust plume against the dark sky—may be visible across much of Southern California.
As the Crew-12 mission successfully docks with the ISS this weekend, all eyes remain on Vandenberg to see if SpaceX can cap off a historic week with a perfect 600th Falcon 9 flight.