SpaceX is set to launch 29 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday, May 20, 2026. The Falcon 9 rocket’s launch window opens at 5:26 a.m. ET. This mission will mark the 28th flight for the first stage booster, which previously supported missions including Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, and multiple Starlink launches. The booster will attempt to land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean after stage separation.
The launch is part of SpaceX’s ongoing effort to expand global broadband coverage through its Starlink constellation. The mission will be the company’s third Starlink launch of the month, following two earlier missions in May. The satellites will deploy into low-Earth orbit, joining thousands already in operation.
SpaceX has not disclosed specific details about the payload or mission timeline beyond the launch window. The company typically avoids public commentary on individual Starlink missions, focusing instead on operational updates.
Residents and visitors in Brevard County can watch the launch live on Space Coast Daily TV. The event is expected to draw crowds to nearby viewing areas, though no official viewing events have been announced. Weather conditions and technical checks will determine whether the mission proceeds as scheduled.
This will be the first Starlink mission since SpaceX’s Starship conducted a test flight earlier this month. The company’s dual focus on Starlink and Starship highlights its role as a key player in both commercial and government space contracts.