We asked satellite experts to fill us in on what's flying around above us and the challenges SpaceX faces as its constellation balloons to accommodate more users and orbiting data centers.

Locating data centres in space is being sold as a solution to the rising electricity and water consumption by AI. SpaceX has requested regulatory officials to allow up to one million satellites in the field that are not necessarily intended to provide internet,

The launch on Monday (Feb. 2, Groundhog Day) began at Space Launch Complex 4 East from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Just like Punxsutawney Phil this year, the rocket "saw" its shadow, flying into a sunny blue sky at 10:47 a.m. EDT (1547 GMT or 7:47 a.m. PDT local time).

The mission will deploy reconnaissance satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office. The launch will take place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. Viewers can watch the launch in person or via a livestream on the SpaceX website.

SpaceX is scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from California on Thursday, Jan. 29. Will it be visible in Arizona?

SpaceX halted Falcon 9 launches for a week while it investigated that issue, which was traced to a fuel leak in one of the booster's nine Merlin engines. This leak led to a fire shortly after touchdown, which weakened a landing leg and caused the vehicle to tip over.

SpaceX is prepping for its 3rd rocket launch of 2026 from California. Here's what time and where to see Falcon 9 thunder into the sky from Vandenberg.