Launch Preview: Russia to debut Soyuz-5; Falcon 9 and Atlas V to launch internet satellites
Falcon 9 is scheduled to deliver a batch of 29 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit at 07:22 UTC on March 26, 2026 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with booster B1067 marking a record 34th flight for a reused first stage. Falcon 9 will follow a northeastern trajectory to deploy the satellites into the Starlink Group 10 constellation shell, then return B1067 to a downrange landing on the Just Read the Instructions droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. Later in the week, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V in 551 configuration is slated to launch another batch of 29 internet satellites from SLC‑41 at CCSFS at 07:53 UTC on March 29, placing its payload into low Earth orbit for a commercial broadband network.
The Atlas V 551 vehicle uses five solid rocket boosters, a five‑meter composite fairing, and a Centaur upper stage powered by a single RL‑10 engine to provide high performance for large payloads. In parallel with these U.S. flights, Russia’s new Soyuz‑5 medium‑lift rocket is expected to debut from its designated launch site later this month, offering a new domestic alternative for placing payloads into orbit. The Soyuz‑5 design is intended to replace the aging Soyuz‑2 family while serving both institutional and commercial customers, broadening launch service options in the global market.
Launch activity this week reflects a wider international cadence of orbital missions from five nations and underscores continued demand for internet constellations and medium‑lift access. SpaceX’s cadence of Starlink missions has become a mainstay of the U.S. launch manifest, driving regular flights from both Florida and California, while Atlas V’s forthcoming sortie highlights enduring use of ULA’s mature infrastructure for large and dual‑manifest payloads. With Soyuz‑5 entering service, operators may see expanded choice in medium‑lift launches as competition grows across commercial and government sectors.
