Falcon 9 SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from West Coast September 12, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith The launch comes as the commercial astronaut mission, Polaris Dawn, is preparing for an on-orbit demonstration of the satellite internet service. Liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 6:45 p.m. PDT (9:45 p.m. EDT, 0145 UTC).