SpaceX Launch Schedule March 2026: Starship V3 & 2 Launches in 3 Hours

If you follow spaceflight closely, you know that keeping track of the SpaceX launch schedule feels like watching a live mission control feed — it changes rapidly, and every window brings new excitement. In mid-March 2026, the company is operating at a staggering tempo: Falcon 9 rockets lifting off from both coasts within hours of each other, while Starship prepares for its next experimental leap. For enthusiasts and industry watchers, the current SpaceX launch schedule isn’t just a list of flights; it’s a glimpse into the future of orbital access. Below I break down the recently completed missions, the upcoming flights, and the bigger picture — including the first potential Starship launch from Florida later this year.

Recent Highlights: A Bicoastal Falcon 9 Doubleheader

Just two days ago, on March 13, 2026, SpaceX demonstrated its characteristic rapid launch capability. Early that morning, a Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (SLC‑40) carrying 29 Starlink V2 Mini satellites on the Starlink 10-48 mission . Less than three hours later, a separate Falcon 9 roared skyward from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, deploying 25 Starlink satellites for the Starlink 17-31 mission . Both first stages landed successfully on drone ships — one in the Atlantic, one in the Pacific. This back‑to‑back rhythm is now routine, yet it still amazes: two launches, 54 satellites, and two booster recoveries within a single morning.

Upcoming Launches: What’s Next on the Pad?

Looking ahead, the Eastern Range calendar shows several missions in the final weeks of March. While specific times shift, a Falcon 9 is scheduled to loft the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission, carrying multiple small payloads for government and commercial customers. Meanwhile, another Starlink batch (group 10-54) is in preparation. Out in California, the Vandenberg team is processing the SARah-2 reconnaissance satellite for the German military, though no firm date has been announced. Based on historical patterns, SpaceX will likely release official dates about a week prior.

Detailed Breakdown: March 2026 SpaceX Launch Schedule

To make the current SpaceX launch schedule easier to digest, I’ve compiled the most recent flights and the expected near‑term missions. Bear in mind that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and SpaceX themselves update these as weather and vehicle readiness evolve .

Mission / Vehicle	Date & Time (UTC)	Location	Status
Starlink 10-48 (F9)	Mar 13, 12:10 UTC	Cape Canaveral, FL	✅ Success
Starlink 17-31 (F9)	Mar 13, 14:33 UTC	Vandenberg, CA	✅ Success
EchoStar XXV (F9)	Mar 10, 04:19 UTC	Cape Canaveral, FL	✅ Success
Bandwagon-3 (F9)	NET late March	Kennedy Space Center, FL	🔲 Planned
Starship Flight 12 (V3)	NET March / early April	Starbase, TX	🔲 Preparing

*NET = No Earlier Than | F9 = Falcon 9

Starship’s Next Leap: V3 and “Year of the Giants”

Beyond the Falcon 9 workhorse, the space community is eagerly awaiting the next Starship test flight. Elon Musk indicated in late January that the next launch would occur in about six weeks — which points to mid‑March 2026 . This will be the first flight of the Starship V3 hardware, featuring upgrades to both the Super Heavy booster and the upper stage. According to SpaceNews, this version is considered the “production rocket” that will eventually enable orbital missions and propellant transfer demonstrations .

Florida Starship: Summer 2026 Target

Perhaps the most exciting long‑term schedule item is the arrival of Starship on the Florida Space Coast. Space Force officials have confirmed that SpaceX is building launch infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center’s pad 39A and at Cape Canaveral’s SLC‑37. Colonel Brian Chatman recently called this the “year of the giants” . The current timeline aims for the first Starship launch from Florida by late summer or early fall 2026. That will mark a paradigm shift in East Coast heavy lift capability.

Beyond the Schedule: Reusability & Cadence

What’s striking about the current SpaceX launch lineup is how routine reusability has become. The booster that flew the Starlink 10-48 mission (B1095) was on its sixth flight, while the Vandenberg booster (B1071) set a record with its 32nd successful landing . This rapid turnaround directly enables the high flight rate. In fact, the FAA recently approved up to 120 Falcon 9 launches per year from Cape Canaveral alone . That’s more than two per week on average.

Elon Musk recently remarked on X (formerly Twitter) that within three years, Starship could launch as often as every hour . While that’s a future aspiration, it underscores the mindset driving today’s schedule. Every Falcon 9 mission is a stepping stone to that super‑heavy reuse. For detailed telemetry and live updates, websites like Spaceflight Now offer excellent coverage, and the official SpaceX launches page remains the authoritative source.

How to Interpret the Launch Schedule

If you’re planning to watch a launch in person or online, here’s a pro tip: follow the “NET” (No Earlier Than) dates. They often shift 24–48 hours due to upper‑level wind or recovery weather. For instance, the March 13 doubleheader had an 80% chance of favorable conditions, which held . Also, note that Starlink missions sometimes carry “ride-share” payloads like Iceye radar satellites, adding variety. In summary, the SpaceX launch schedule is a living document — but the underlying trend is clear: more flights, more boosters, and more ambitious tests.