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Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-24

Falcon 9 Block 5 launched the Starlink Group 17-24 mission for SpaceX from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on Mar 17, 2026 (UTC).

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Launch pad

Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-24

Launched Mar 17, 2026 2:19:09 PMSuccess

24 objects in orbit now

Flight direction

189° S

measured from the launched orbit · inclination 97.3°

Flight path

First-stage drop zone (rough estimate)

Drawn 400–700 km downrange along the flight direction. Official hazard areas are published as NOTAMs and navigational warnings.

When to see this Starlink train

For a few days to weeks after launch, these satellites fly close together and show up as a line of lights gliding across the sky, one after another. If you saw a string of lights moving together, it was most likely a fresh Starlink launch like this one.

These satellites have already climbed to their working orbit and spread out, so they no longer look like a train. Newer launches may still be in a line.

Starlink trains in the sky now →Saw something else? What was that light? →

About the mission

A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

Mission description from Launch Library 2.

Objects from this launch still in orbit

Launch time (your time zone)
Tue, Mar 17 · 2:19:09 PM
Status
Success
Launch provider
SpaceX
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Mission type
Communications
Target orbit
LEO
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA