File: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen in the launch position at Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Jan. 16, 2026, ahead of the launch of the NROL-105 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Image: SpaceX
SpaceX is preparing to launch a combination of 21 Starlink and two Starshield satellites on Saturday night from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Starshield is an alternate version of the Starlink satellite architecture the government. SpaceX hasn’t announced which U.S. government agency ordered these two satellites or if they are for a foreign government.
Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket on the Starlink 17-43 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East is scheduled for 9:24:30 p.m. PDT on Saturday, June 6 (12:24:30 a.m. EDT / 0424:30 UTC on Sunday, June 7).
Spaceflight Now will have live coverage beginning about 30 minutes prior to liftoff.
