SpaceX Achieves 498th Falcon 9 Booster Landing Following Vandenberg Launch

SpaceX successfully completed its 498th Falcon 9 booster landing on September 2, 2025, following a launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission, which deployed 24 Starlink internet satellites into low Earth orbit, marked a significant milestone for the company's reusability program. The successful recovery of the first stage underscores SpaceX's ongoing efforts to reduce the cost of space access through advanced rocket technology.

The specific event was highlighted by a tweet from "Whole Mars Catalog" on September 4, 2025, stating, > "looks like for this one they landed an VAFB." While the tweet suggested a landing at VAFB, the booster, identified as the brand-new Falcon 9 B1097, executed a precise landing on the autonomous drone ship "Just Read the Instructions" in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. Launches from Vandenberg often involve drone ship landings for missions heading south.

This mission was the 109th Falcon 9 flight of 2025, with over 70% of these launches dedicated to expanding the Starlink constellation. The continuous deployment of Starlink satellites aims to build out the largest spacecraft network ever assembled, providing global internet coverage. The frequent reusability of Falcon 9 boosters has been a cornerstone of SpaceX's strategy, allowing for rapid turnaround times and a high launch cadence.

Vandenberg Space Force Base serves as a crucial launch site for SpaceX, particularly for polar and sun-synchronous orbit missions from the West Coast. The base plays a vital role in supporting the company's ambitious launch schedule and its goal of making spaceflight routine and more affordable. The consistent success of these booster landings demonstrates the maturity and reliability of SpaceX's reusable rocket technology.