SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit on Friday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch is scheduled for 6 a.m. Eastern Time, according to the company’s latest mission update. This will be the sixth flight for the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster, which previously supported five Starlink missions. After stage separation, the booster will attempt a landing on the droneship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean.
The mission marks another step in SpaceX’s ongoing effort to expand its Starlink broadband network. The satellites are part of a larger constellation aimed at providing global internet coverage. Launches from SLC-40 have become routine for SpaceX, with the site hosting multiple missions annually. Weather forecasts for the launch window show a 70% chance of favorable conditions, though officials will monitor conditions closely.
This particular booster, which has flown five times before, has a history of successful landings. SpaceX typically reuses boosters multiple times to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The landing on the Just Read the Instructions will be the second for this mission’s first stage. The droneship is positioned approximately 400 miles off the Florida coast, where the booster will attempt a controlled descent and landing.
Residents along the Space Coast can watch the launch live via SpaceX’s webcast or local coverage on Space Coast Daily TV. The mission is expected to last about 60 minutes, with the satellites deploying into orbit shortly after liftoff. No major delays are anticipated, and the launch window remains open for the scheduled time.