SpaceX is targeting a Thursday, July 9 launch of 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40. The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off between 5:05 a.m. and 9:05 a.m. ET from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This mission will use a first-stage booster that has flown 36 times before, including previous launches of Crew-3, Crew-4, and multiple Starlink missions. The booster will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean after stage separation.
The Falcon 9 has become a workhorse for SpaceX, with this particular booster having supported missions dating back to at least 2020. It previously carried cargo to the International Space Station, deployed communications satellites, and launched astronauts as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. This will be the 24th Starlink mission for the booster, which has helped expand SpaceX’s broadband network across the globe.
The launch will be visible to residents along the Space Coast, with live coverage available on Space Coast Daily TV. Weather forecasts show a 70% chance of favorable conditions for launch, though delays are possible if thunderstorms develop near the launch site.
This mission continues SpaceX’s efforts to deploy thousands of Starlink satellites to provide global internet coverage. The company has already launched over 3,000 satellites in the program, with plans to expand further as part of its goal to bridge the digital divide.
The launch comes amid increased activity at Cape Canaveral, where multiple companies are preparing for missions this summer. SpaceX has several Starlink launches scheduled through the end of the year, while NASA and private firms are also planning orbital missions from the Space Force Station.