SpaceX will launch its 1,000th Starlink satellite of 2026 at 5:33:10 a.m. EDT Tuesday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Starlink 10-24 mission will deploy 29 broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit. This will be the company’s 37th dedicated Starlink mission of the year and mark the 1,002nd Starlink satellite launched in 2026 alone. The Falcon 9 rocket will follow a north-easterly trajectory after liftoff. Weather forecasts from the 45th Weather Squadron indicate a 95% chance of favorable conditions during the launch window, though thick clouds could pose a minor risk.
The Falcon 9 rocket will use the first-stage booster with tail number B1080, which has flown 26 previous missions, including Axiom Mission 2, Axiom Mission 3, and CRS-30. About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1080 will attempt a landing on the drone ship ‘Just Read the Instructions’ in the Atlantic Ocean. If successful, this will be the 157th landing on the vessel and the 598th booster landing overall. SpaceX will stream live coverage starting about an hour before the scheduled launch time.
This mission continues SpaceX’s rapid expansion of the Starlink constellation, which aims to provide global broadband internet. The 29 satellites will join thousands already in orbit, enhancing coverage and capacity. The launch comes as SpaceX prepares for multiple missions in the coming weeks, including crewed flights and cargo deliveries to the International Space Station. Local observers and space enthusiasts have been tracking the progress, with some attending viewing events near the launch site.
The 1,000th satellite milestone highlights SpaceX’s dominance in the commercial space industry and its commitment to expanding Starlink’s reach. The company has previously stated its goal of achieving global broadband coverage, with the current constellation supporting operations in over 70 countries. The Starlink 10-24 mission is expected to contribute to improved internet speeds and reliability, particularly in remote areas.