A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch at 6 a.m. Thursday, March 12, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission, named Starlink 10-48, will lift off from Launch Complex 40 and deploy a batch of Starlink internet satellites into low Earth orbit. The launch window extends until 10 a.m. Thursday, but weather and technical checks will determine if the mission proceeds as planned.
The Falcon 9’s first-stage booster is expected to separate shortly after liftoff and land on a SpaceX drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This will be the 10th Starlink mission of 2026 and the 48th overall for the Starlink program. SpaceX has not disclosed the exact number of satellites on board, but previous missions have carried between 50 and 60 satellites each.
The launch will be visible from much of Florida’s east coast, with the rocket’s ascent and the booster’s landing both expected to be observable under clear skies. Local officials have not issued any special advisories for the event, which is typical for routine Starlink launches. The mission aims to expand global broadband coverage by adding more satellites to the constellation.
SpaceX has conducted over 100 Falcon 9 launches since 2010, with the majority taking place from Cape Canaveral. The company’s reuse of rocket components has significantly reduced costs for satellite deployments. This particular mission will be the second Starlink launch from Launch Complex 40 this year, following a successful flight in January.