A stack of SpaceX Starlink satellites, which included the first six featuring Direct to Cell capabilities. The batch launched on the Starlink 7-9 mission, which lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Jan. 2, 2024. Image: SpaceX
SpaceX is preparing to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base Thursday night. The near-sunset flight will add another 20 Starlink satellites to its growing mega-constellation of more than 6,000 satellites in low Earth orbit.