Will Robinson-Smith – Page 3

SpaceX launches GPS 3 satellite following switch from ULA Vulcan rocket

January 26, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

This was the third launch of a GPS satellite in as many years. Liftoff of the GPS 3-9 mission from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station launched at 11:53:16 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 27 (0453:16 UTC on Jan. 28).

SpaceX launches 25 Starlink satellites to polar, low Earth orbit

January 25, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 17-20 mission was the seventh Starlink mission this year. Liftoff from pad 4E happened at 9:30 a.m. PST (12:30 p.m. EST / 1730 UTC).

Eastern Range ready for same day fueling of Space Launch System, Vulcan rockets

January 23, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

Florida’s Space Coast is preparing for a future that could see in excess of 350 launches annually.

SpaceX launches first West Coast Starlink mission of 2026

January 21, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 17-30 mission sent the batch of satellites into a polar low Earth orbit. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 9:47:29 p.m. PST (12:47:29 a.m. EST / 0547:29 UTC).

NRO, SpaceX launch reconnaissance satellites from Vandenberg

January 16, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The NROL-105 mission is the first of about a dozen missions planned for 2026 that support the NRO’s so-called proliferated architecture satellite constellation. Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 8:39:51 p.m. PST (11:39:51 p.m. EST / 0439:51 UTC).

NASA, SpaceX conduct ‘medical evacuation’ Crew-11 return to Earth

January 14, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The three astronauts and cosmonaut are scheduled to undock from the space station at 5:05 p.m. EST (2205 UTC) on Wednesday, Jan. 14, and splashdown off the coast of California at 3:41 a.m. EST (0841 UTC).

SpaceX breaks pad turnaround record at Cape Canaveral with midday Starlink launch

January 14, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 6-98 mission added 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites to the low Earth orbit constellation. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 1:08 p.m. EST (1808 UTC).

U.S. Space Force switches rockets for upcoming GPS satellite launch

January 13, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The change will allow the U.S. Space Force to expedite the process of building out its GPS constellation in medium Earth orbit. The launch date for the next satellite, GPS III Space Vehicle 09, could be within weeks.

ISS gains new commander as Crew-11 prepares midweek departure

January 13, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke took over command of the International Space Station on Dec. 7, 2025. He and the rest of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission will undock from the ISS on Jan. 14.

SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

January 12, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 6-97 mission was the fifth Falcon 9 rocket launch of 2026, a rate of roughly one flight every 2.5 days. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 4:08:20 p.m. EST (2108:20 UTC).