SpaceX crews are preparing for a Falcon 9 rocket launch from Brevard County’s Space Launch Complex 40 on Friday, targeting an 8 a.m. EST liftoff. The mission will carry another batch of Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit, expanding the network that provides global internet coverage. The launch window extends through 10 a.m. EST, with weather conditions currently favorable for the operation. This will be the sixth flight for the first-stage booster, which has previously supported five Starlink missions. After separation, the booster will attempt a landing on the ‘Just Read the Instructions’ droneship in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 400 miles off the Florida coast. SpaceX has not disclosed the exact number of satellites planned for this mission, but previous launches have typically deployed between 50 and 60 units. The launch will be visible to residents along the Space Coast, with the rocket’s ascent expected to be visible from as far north as Titusville and as far south as Cocoa Beach. Channel 9 will broadcast live coverage of the event on Eyewitness News This Morning, streaming via TV27. The Starlink constellation, now comprising over 4,000 satellites, aims to provide broadband internet to underserved regions worldwide. This mission follows SpaceX’s recent successful launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station, marking the company’s second such mission in 2026. The launch is part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to reduce costs through reusable rocket technology, a strategy that has already saved the company an estimated $100 million in launch expenses. Local officials have expressed support for the continued use of Brevard County as a launch site, citing economic benefits from the aerospace industry. The next scheduled launch from the Space Coast is expected to occur in early July, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.