SPACEX
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-42
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May 20, 2026 at 02:46 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
Initializing Launch Globe…
3 streams
PADSpace Launch Complex 4E
SITEVandenberg SFB, CA, USA →ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPECommunications
PROGRAMStarlink
MISSION OVERVIEW
A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Falcon 9AGENCY
SpaceXMISSION
Starlink Group 17-42
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 4ELAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAPROGRAM
Starlink
COUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 7ba18bcb-c711-4329-9fc1-7ac017fadfff
Reported date: May 20, 2026 at 02:46 UTC
Last synced: 51 seconds ago
SPACEX API
Cross-referenced with community SpaceX data
X (TWITTER) SEARCH
IN FLIGHT reported by @planet4589
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
SCHEDULE & STATUS HISTORY
STATUS CHANGEMay 20, 2026 at 09:17 UTC
IN FLIGHT → SUCCESS
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEMay 20, 2026 at 02:51 UTC
GO → IN FLIGHT
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(0.2 hrs)
May 20, 2026 at 00:16 UTCMay 20, 2026 02:36 → May 20, 2026 02:46 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(0.4 hrs)
May 19, 2026 at 13:02 UTCMay 20, 2026 02:11 → May 20, 2026 02:36 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(24 hrs)
May 15, 2026 at 19:13 UTCMay 19, 2026 02:11 → May 20, 2026 02:11 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(2 days)
May 8, 2026 at 00:43 UTCMay 17, 2026 02:11 → May 19, 2026 02:11 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(24 hrs)
May 5, 2026 at 16:29 UTCMay 16, 2026 02:11 → May 17, 2026 02:11 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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BOOSTER — B1103 →
#2THIS FLIGHT
2TOTAL FLIGHTS
2/2LANDINGS
42dTURNAROUND
FLIGHT-PROVEN BOOSTER
ASDS — Of Course I Still Love You SUCCESS
First flight: Apr 7, 2026Previous flight: Apr 7, 2026
VEHICLE — Falcon 9 →
MANUFACTURER
SpaceX
VARIANT
Block 5
FLIGHTS
592
SUCCESSES
591
SUCCESS RATE
99.8%
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
LAUNCH VIDEOS
ARTICLES & COVERAGE
MORE INFO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-42 launch?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-42 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 2:46 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Starlink Group 17-42?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-42 mission uses the Falcon 9 rocket, manufactured by SpaceX. The Falcon 9 has flown 592 times with a 99.8% success rate.
Where is the Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-42 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is Starlink Group 17-42 going to?
The Starlink Group 17-42 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Starlink Group 17-42?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-42 is operated by SpaceX. It is part of the Starlink program.
Can I watch the Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-42 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
May 27, 2026 00:02 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
May 20, 2026 09:17 UTC
Status changed: IN FLIGHT u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
May 20, 2026 02:51 UTC
Status changed: GO u2192 IN FLIGHT
Launch IN FLIGHT (via Launch Library 2)
May 20, 2026 00:16 UTC
Launch delayed by 0.2 hours
May 20, 2026 02:36 UTC u2192 May 20, 2026 02:46 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 19, 2026 13:02 UTC
Launch delayed by 0.4 hours
May 20, 2026 02:11 UTC u2192 May 20, 2026 02:36 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 15, 2026 19:13 UTC
Launch delayed by 24 hours
May 19, 2026 02:11 UTC u2192 May 20, 2026 02:11 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 8, 2026 00:43 UTC
Launch delayed by 2 days
May 17, 2026 02:11 UTC u2192 May 19, 2026 02:11 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 5, 2026 16:29 UTC
Launch delayed by 24 hours
May 16, 2026 02:11 UTC u2192 May 17, 2026 02:11 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 4, 2026 18:58 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
May 4, 2026 18:58 UTC
Launch date set: May 20, 2026 at 02:46 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by SpaceX
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 51 seconds ago
IN FLIGHT reported by @planet4589 on X
●Launch Library 251 seconds ago
Launch ID: 7ba18bcb-c711-4329-9fc1-7ac017fadfff
●Open-Meteo Weather3 days ago
Pad weather at 34.63, -120.61
●X (Twitter) Search6 minutes ago
10 tweets (2 from official accounts)
RECENT FROM X
1 month ago
LAUNCH! SpaceX Falcon 9 B1103-2 (a youngster) launches Starlink Group 17-42 from SLC-4E a sunset Vandenberg. https://t.co/AimqaJASd8 https://t.co/1ZPIuGlgbk
162 ♥ 19 ↻
View on X →1 month ago
UPDATE – NEW LAUNCH TIME:nStarlink group 17-42 : VSFB SLC-4E : 19/20 May 2026 (02:46:19 UTC). SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is targeted to launch 24 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. Liftoff targeted for May 20, 02 46:19 UTC.. 05/19/2026nhttps://t.co/a9pUYxdym5
2 ♥
View on X →1 month ago
SpaceX has a launch window open.nFalcon 9 Block 5 / Starlink Group 17-42nT-60 min.nLaunch site: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.nWhat do you check first on a launch: pad, payload, or countdown? https://t.co/BwdyQocKbS
1 ♥ 1 ↻
View on X →1 month ago
MISSION REPLAY HIGHLIGHTS:nStarlink group 17-42 : VSFB SLC-4E : 19/20 May 2026 (02:46:19 UTC). SpaceX Starlink 386 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 20 May 2026.. 5/19/2026nhttps://t.co/PtIVqVRlLc
1 ♥
View on X →
Mission Profile
Starlink Group 17-42 was a Falcon 9 Block 5 mission operated by SpaceX that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on May 20, 2026. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Low Earth Orbit. The first stage, booster B1103, made its 2nd flight, returning to service just 42 days after its previous mission. This launch expanded SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, the low-Earth-orbit network that delivers broadband internet to users worldwide; each batch is identified by its orbital group (here, Starlink Group 17-42). The launch was a success.