SpaceX

A Shortfall of Gravitas

AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the BlueBird Block 1 satellites, required to achieve 24/7 continuous cellular broadband service coverage in the United States, with beams designed to support a capacity of up to 40 MHz, enabling peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data and video applications. The Block 2 BlueBirds, featuring as large as 2400 square foot communications arrays, will be the largest satellites ever commercially deployed in Low Earth orbit once launched.

This launch will feature 3 satellites.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | BlueBird Block 2 #3-5

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Space Launch Complex 40

Falcon 9 Block 5

On Wednesday June 17, 2026 at 06:39 UTC, SpaceX launched the BlueBird Block 2 #3-5 mission with a Falcon 9 Block 5 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

Description generated from the Launch Library 2 API.
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Object in the Launch Library 2 API: https://ll.thespacedevs.com/2.3.0/launches/c3f48f48-0e0a-4bca-917e-de494cfca35b/?format=json
Related news in the Spaceflight News API: https://api.spaceflightnewsapi.net/v4/articles/?launch=c3f48f48-0e0a-4bca-917e-de494cfca35b
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Orig...

English

SpaceX BlueBird Block 2 #3-5

Unofficial Re-stream

Watch live coverage as SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 rocket carrying three satellites for for AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular service. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, at 2:39 a.m. EDT (0639 UTC). The BlueBird 8, 9 and 10 satellites feature a communications array spanning about 2,400 square feet.

The first-stage Falcon 9 booster, serial number B1077, launching for a 29th time, will land on SpaceX's drone ship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas', stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 8.5 minutes after leaving the launch pad.

The BlueBird 8-10 mission, will take a north-easterly trajectory on departure from Florida's Space Coast.

Our live coverage with commentary from Spaceflight Now's Will Robinson-Smith wil...

Live: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches three BlueBird direct-to-cell satellites from Cape Canaveral

Unofficial Webcast

Launch Window: June 17th from 2:39AM to 4:15AM EDT (06:39-08:15 UTC)
Current T0: June 17th at 2:39AM EDT (06:39 UTC)

Mission: Falcon 9 launch of 3 BlueBird Block 2 satellites for AST Space Mobile
Launch location: Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Earth.
Target orbit: Low-Earth Orbit (LEO)
Booster: B1077-29; 26d 20h 34min 40s turnaround
Past customer missions: Crew-5, GPS-III SV06, Inmarsat-6 F2, CRS-28, Galaxy 37, NG-20, Optus-X.
Past Starlink missions: 5-10, 6-13, 6-25, 6-33, 6-43, 6-51, 6-63, 10-4, 8-11, 6-71, 12-18, 12-25, 12-23, 12-19, 10-28, 10-14, 10-21, 6-95, 10-36, 10-33, 10-31.
Satellites launched: 566, will be 569 after this mission.
Booster recovery: A Shortfall Of Gravitas (ASOG)
Fairing recovery: Bob
Rocket trajectory: Northeast flying...

SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 with Bluebird 8 to 10

BlueBird 8-10 Mission

Official Webcast

AST SpaceMobile is scheduled to launch its next-generation satellites, BlueBird 8-10, to low Earth orbit on June 17 at 2:39 AM EDT. The satellite will liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida aboard the Falcon 9 rocket. Watch AST SpaceMobile's live show featuring launch status updates, new videos, interviews with special guests, and more. The broadcast will begin approximately 15 minutes before launch time. The exact timing of launch is subject to change based on a number of factors, including readiness of the launch vehicle, weather conditions, and other factors – so stay tuned to AST SpaceMobile's social media channels for the latest updates.

Webcast: AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 8-10 Mission Live Launch

Arianespace

Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, this constellation will be managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. This constellation is planned to be composed of 3,276 satellites. The satellites are projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes in three orbital layers, one at 590 km, 610 km and 630 km altitude.

36 satellites will be carried on this Ariane 6 launch.

VA269 Patch

Ariane 64 Block 2 | Amazon Leo (LE-03)

Guiana Space Centre

Ariane Launch Area 4

Ariane 64 Block 2

On June 17, 2026, Arianespace will place into orbit 36 satellites for Amazon Leo with the Ariane 64 equipped with four P160C advanced solid-propellant boosters for the very first time.
Amazon Leo is Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite network, whose mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet to customers beyond the reach of existing networks.
Designated VA269 by Arianespace and LE-03 (Leo Europe 03) by Amazon, it will be the third launch for the constellation performed with the European heavy-lift launcher in a row.
With 36 satellites on board – 4 more than on the previous missions VA267 LE-01 and VA268 LE-02, this launch will demonstrate the launcher’s versatility and enhanced performance, enabling the deployment of the heaviest payload ever launched by an Ariane launcher.

► Subsc...

Flight VA269 | Amazon Leo LE-03 | Ariane 6 | Arianespace

Le 17 juin 2026, Arianespace placera en orbite 36 satellites de la constellation Amazon Leo avec une Ariane 64 équipée pour la première fois de quatre propulseurs d’appoint à propergol solide P160C.
Amazon Leo est le réseau satellitaire en orbite basse d’Amazon, qui offrira une connectivité internet rapide et fiable aux populations actuellement privées d’accès aux réseaux existants.
Désignée VA269 par Arianespace et LE-03 (Leo Europe 03) par Amazon, cette mission sera la troisième réalisée consécutivement par le lanceur lourd européen au profit de cette constellation.
Avec 36 satellites à son bord, soit quatre de plus que lors des deux précédentes missions VA267 LE-01 et VA268 LE-02, Ariane 6 fera démonstration de sa polyvalence et d’une performance accrue en emportant la charge utile...

French

Vol VA269 | Amazon Leo LE-03 | Ariane 6 | Arianespace

C'est la version d'Ariane 6 la plus puissante jamais lancée ! Le lanceur européen décollera du Centre spatial guyanais avec, pour la toute première fois, quatre propulseurs à propergol solide P160C.

Les moteurs P160C sont destinés à remplacer les P120C, la version qui a équipé les premiers vols Ariane 6. Vu de l'extérieur, la longueur et la largeur des quatre boosters restent inchangées. Mais à l'intérieur, les nouveaux moteurs mesurent un mètre de plus que les P120C et peuvent transporter jusqu'à 156 tonnes de propergol chacun, ce qui augmente leurs performances de 10 % par rapport aux P120C. Cette nouveauté porte la capacité d'emport d'Ariane 64 (la version à quatre boosters) à environ 22 tonnes en orbite terrestre basse.

🚀 *Zoom sur le lancement VA269*

Mercredi 17 juin 2026
Fenê...

Lancement Ariane 6 avec les nouveaux propulseurs P160C (Amazon LEO - VA269)

Launch Window: June 17, 11:53 - 12:22 UTC / 08:53 - 09:22 GFT (French Guiana)

This mission deploys the largest batch yet for Amazon's Project Kuiper competitor constellation, marking the debut of the upgraded P160C solid rocket boosters on the powerful Ariane 64 configuration. Follow the full countdown, liftoff, stage separation, and satellite deployment as Europe’s new heavy-lift launcher continues building out Amazon’s broadband megaconstellation.

⚡ Become a member of NASASpaceflight's channel for exclusive discord access, fast turnaround clips, and other exclusive benefits. Your support helps us continue our 24/7 coverage. ⚡

🔍 If you are interested in using footage captured by this stream, please review our content use policy: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content-use-policy/
...

Ariane 6 Debuts New Booster Upgrade launching Amazon Leo (LE-03)

Launch Date: June 17, 2026 
Launch Time:  08:53 GFT, 1153 UTC, 13:53 CET
Launch Window: Open until 09:22 GFT
Launch Site: ELV-4 - Guiana Space Centre - French Guiana
Targeted Orbit: LEO (Low Earth Orbit) 
Payload mass: 19,200 kg (42,240 lbs)
Launch Inclination: Northeast
Launch Status: Nominal Orbit Insertion

Mission: Amazon Leo (LE-01)
Launch Provider: Arianespace
Launch Contractor: Kuiper Systems LLC
Payload Manufacturer: Amazon (Kuiper Systems LLC)
Launcher System: Ariane 64 (Core Stage plus 4 Strap-On Boosters)

Price: $106 million (without payload)
Diameter: 5,4 m
Height: 62 meters
Payload to Orbit: 21,650 kg LEO / 11,500 kg GTO
Lift-Off Thrust: 15,370 kilonewtons
Fairing: Diameter 5,4 meters / Height 20 meters
Stages: 2

On this VA269 LE-03 mission, the P160C will enable Ariane...

Arianespace - Ariane 64 - Amazon Leo (LE-03) - ELA-4 - Guiana SC, French Guiana - June 17, 2026

Landing Zone 4

Fourteenth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities.

NROL-146

Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-179

Vandenberg SFB

Space Launch Complex 4E

Livestream on X

Of Course I Still Love You

A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.

Space X Starlink Mission Patch

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-28

Starlink Mission

Isar Aerospace

Second test flight of the Isar Spectrum launch vehicle. This launch will carry 5 cubesats and 1 non-separable experiment as part of European Space Agency (ESA)'s “Boost!” program:

* CyBEEsat (TU Berlin)
* TriSat-S (University of Maribor)
* Platform 6 (EnduroSat)
* FramSat-1 (NTNU)
* SpaceTeamSat1 (TU Wien Space Team)
* Let It Go (Dcubed, non-separable experiment)

Onward and Upward Patch

Spectrum | Onward and Upward

Andøya Spaceport

Orbital Launch Pad

Spectrum

Mission Name: 'Onward and Upward'

Launch Date: Updates via https://isaraerospace.com/mission-updates-overview

Launch site: Andøya Space

The second flight of our ‘Spectrum’ launch vehicle marks a significant milestone serving as both the vehicle’s qualification mission and its first flight carrying payload.

"Onward and Upward" symbolizes our relentless drive for progress and continuous improvement, reflecting our determination to build upon the successes and lessons learned from our inaugural test flight.

The livestream is produced in collaboration with the @NASASpaceflight team.

More information on the Mission ‘Onward and Upward’ here: https://isaraerospace.com/mission-2

Want to be part of our next mission? 
We are looking for ambitious talent across all teams to engineer the f...

"Onward and Upward" Mission of Isar Aerospace

Mission Name: 'Onward and Upward'

Launch Date: Updates via https://isaraerospace.com/mission-updates-overview

Launch site: Andøya Space

The second flight of Isar's ‘Spectrum’ launch vehicle marks a significant milestone serving as both the vehicle’s qualification mission and its first flight carrying payload.

"Onward and Upward" symbolizes Isar's relentless drive for progress and continuous improvement, reflecting their determination to build upon the successes and lessons learned from our inaugural test flight.

NSF/NASASpaceflight LLC is providing live stream production services for Isar Aerospace's second flight of Spectrum.

More information on the Mission ‘Onward and Upward’ here: https://isaraerospace.com/mission-2

LDAPAABJRG2UMCU3

Isar Aerospace Launches "Onward and Upward" Mission

Note: Mission profile and payload details are TBD.

Demonstration mission for SpaceX’s Project Starfall, which aims to mass-produce reentry capsules designed to autonomously transport valuable customer experiments and other payloads safely back from space to Earth, including for in-orbit manufacturing. 

Starfall is a cylindrical shaped capsule approximately 0.75 meters tall with a diameter of 3.1 meters, weighing approximately 2100 kilograms, and capable of carrying 1000 kilograms of payload. It is designed to be carried on Starship flights.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Project Starfall Demonstration Mission

CASC

Long March 7A | Unknown Payload

Wenchang Space Launch Site

Long March 7A

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-45

Northrop Grumman Space Systems

Contracted by NASA under the Small Business Innovation Research Phase 3 contract, Katalyst Space Technologies' LINK servicing spacecraft will rendezvous and attach to NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to re-boost its orbit. This aims to demonstrate a key capability for the future of space exploration and extending the Swift mission’s science lifetime in gamma ray astronomy.

Swift Rescue Mission Patch

Pegasus XL | Swift Boost Mission

Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site

Air Launch

Pegasus XL

Tranche 1 Transport Layer D is one of six missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation, which will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms from Low Earth Orbit satellites.

The constellation will be interconnected with Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) which have significantly increased performance over existing radio frequency crosslinks. It is expected to operate over Ka band, have stereo coverage and be dynamically networked for simpler hand-offs, greater bandwidth and fault tolerance.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer D

Tranche 1 Transport Layer A is one of six missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation, which will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms from Low Earth Orbit satellites.

The constellation will be interconnected with Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) which have significantly increased performance over existing radio frequency crosslinks. It is expected to operate over Ka band, have stereo coverage and be dynamically networked for simpler hand-offs, greater bandwidth and fault tolerance.

This launch carries 21 satellites manufactured by Northrop Grumman.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer A

Launch Complex 3 Landing Pad

First low-altitude hop test of a Themis demonstrator, with a targeted altitude up to 100 m.

Themis Demonstrator | T1H-1

Esrange Space Center

Launch Complex 3B

Themis Demonstrator

Deep Blue Aerospace

First test launch of Deep Blue Aerospace’s Nebula-1 rocket.

The test flight profile is reported to be sub-orbital.

Nebula-1 | Demo Flight

Haiyang Oriental Spaceport

Land Launch Pad 1

Nebula-1

Tranche 1 Transport Layer F is one of six missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation, which will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms from Low Earth Orbit satellites.

The constellation will be interconnected with Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) which have significantly increased performance over existing radio frequency crosslinks. It is expected to operate over Ka band, have stereo coverage and be dynamically networked for simpler hand-offs, greater bandwidth and fault tolerance.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer F

The Globalstar global mobile communications network offers global, digital real time voice, data and fax services via its Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation. The constellation operates in a 1410 km orbit inclined at 52 degrees.

In early 2022, Globalstar contracted with MDA for the construction of 17 new 2nd generation refresh satellites to replenish the existing constellation. Rocket Lab is sub-contracted to build the satellites' buses and the launch dispensers.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Globalstar 2-R Mission 1 (x 9)

Globalstar 2-R Launch 1 Mission

Tranche 1 Tracking Layer A is one of five missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Tracking Layer constellation, which will provide global indications, warning, tracking, and targeting of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 1 Tracking Layer A

Agency for Defense Development

Note: Launch vehicle name is provisional.

First orbital full version launch of the South Korean military small satellite launch vehicle, after 2 sub-orbital tests of individual stages on 30 March and 30 December 2022, and 1 orbital test flight without the 2nd stage on 4 December 2023. Details TBD.

South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV | Demo Flight

Jeju Island

ADD Offshore launch platform

South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV

Rocket Lab

Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.

The Grain Goddess Provides Patch

Electron | The Grain Goddess Provides (iQPS Launch 7)

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1

Unknown Pad

Electron

Tranche 1 Transport Layer E is one of six missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation, which will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms from Low Earth Orbit satellites.

The constellation will be interconnected with Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) which have significantly increased performance over existing radio frequency crosslinks. It is expected to operate over Ka band, have stereo coverage and be dynamically networked for simpler hand-offs, greater bandwidth and fault tolerance.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer E

Tranche 1 Tracking Layer E is one of five missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Tracking Layer constellation, which will provide global indications, warning, tracking, and targeting of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 1 Tracking Layer E

Synthetic aperture radar satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company Synspective.

Ten Owl Of Ten Patch

Electron | Ten Owl Of Ten (StriX Launch 10)

Tranche 1 Tracking Layer C is one of five missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Tracking Layer constellation, which will provide global indications, warning, tracking, and targeting of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | SDA Tranche 1 Tracking Layer C

SXM-11 is the 12th high-powered, digital, audio radio satellite built by Lanteris Space (ex-Maxar, Space System/Loral) for SiriusXM. The SXM-11 satellite will be based on the proven IM-1300 (ex-LS-1300)-class platform and built at the company’s manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, California. SXM-11 has a large, mesh, unfurlable reflector almost 10 meters in diameter that allows SiriusXM programming to reach its radios, including those in moving vehicles.

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Sirius SXM-11

China Rocket Co.

Smart Dragon 3 | Unknown Payload

Sea Launch

DeFu-15002 mobile launch platform

Smart Dragon 3

Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, this constellation will be managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. This constellation is planned to be composed of 3,276 satellites. The satellites are projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes in three orbital layers, one at 590 km, 610 km and 630 km altitude.

29 satellites are carried on this launch.

Rocket Launches Today