SpaceX plans for Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-105 mission on Friday evening.

SAN DIEGO — SpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday, January 16, 2026. 

The company plans a launch for the NROL-105 mission from its Falcon 9 rocket. 

According to SpaceX, it is targeting Friday for a Falcon 9 launch 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 8:18 p.m. PT with a launch window available for 35 minutes.  If needed, an additional launch opportunity is available the following day on January 17 beginning at 8:04 p.m.

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 2ndflight 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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