SpaceX Launches Bandwagon-4 Mission with Key Satellites

CAP CANAVERAL, Florida — SpaceX is set to launch the Bandwagon-4 mission, carrying 18 payloads, including military satellites for South Korea, on November 2, 2025. Liftoff is scheduled for 1:09 a.m. EDT (0509 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

This mission marks the fourth flight in SpaceX’s multi-customer Bandwagon series, designed for mid-inclination orbit deployment. Bandwagon-4 follows 17 previous missions in SpaceX’s small satellite rideshare program. The new launch vehicle, Falcon 9 booster B1091, previously supported Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

The 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 95 percent chance of favorable weather for the launch, although some cumulus clouds could pose a minor threat. After about eight minutes in the air, the booster will return to Landing Zone 2 at Cape Canaveral.

At the forefront of this payload group is the fifth in the Korea 425 satellite series, developed by South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development. Sensitive military satellites have led SpaceX to conclude live launch coverage before payload deployment on past Bandwagon missions.

Additionally, Vast is using this mission to test systems for its commercial space station, Haven-1, targeting a launch in May 2026. The demo satellite, Haven Demo, will examine navigation software and other crucial systems.

Another satellite onboard, Starcloud-1, has attracted attention for its NVIDIA H100 GPU. The CEO of Starcloud, Philip Johnston, commented on the progress, stating, “In space, you get almost unlimited, low-cost renewable energy.” He believes future space-based data centers could revolutionize how data is managed by reducing environmental impacts.

Germany’s Exolaunch is handling the deployment of many payloads, including several small reconnaissance satellites and technology demonstrators. As SpaceX transitions its landing zones, this launch carries significant implications for both military and commercial space operations.

The Falcon 9 mission is an important step in ongoing technological advancements, with numerous organizations aiming to leverage the potentials of space resources. As the countdown approaches, space enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the launch.