SpaceX launched two missions within 38.5 minutes Saturday night, setting a new record for rapid consecutive launches. The first was a Falcon 9 rocket carrying eight satellites for Globalstar from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 9:12 p.m. EDT. The second launch, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, occurred 38 minutes and 30 seconds later. Both missions used Falcon 9 boosters, with the Cape Canaveral rocket landing back at the launch site shortly after liftoff. This was the 52nd orbital launch from Florida this year.
The Globalstar mission, designated Globalstar 2-R Launch 1, aimed to replenish the company's low Earth orbit satellite constellation. The Falcon 9 first stage, booster B1090, completed its 14th flight before landing at Landing Zone 40. The satellites were part of a contract announced by Globalstar in spring 2026, though the launch was delayed from its original May 17 date. SpaceX officials did not immediately comment on the delay.
At the same time, a second Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg at 6:50 p.m. PDT carrying a classified payload for the U.S. Space Force under the USSF-366 mission. The booster, B1088, landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the 650th successful Falcon 9 booster landing since 2015. A Space Force spokesperson confirmed the mission was part of a previously awarded National Security Space Launch contract.
Globalstar's replenishment effort is critical for maintaining its satellite network, which provides voice and data services to users worldwide. The company has faced challenges with satellite longevity in recent years, prompting the accelerated launch schedule. The Cape Canaveral mission was the first of multiple planned launches under the Globalstar 2-R program, with subsequent flights expected in 2027.