SpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Monday, March 30, at 5:15 p.m. ET. The mission will deploy 29 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit, marking the 34th flight of the first-stage booster. The rocket will lift off from the same pad used for previous missions including Crew-3, Crew-4, and multiple Starlink launches. The launch window extends until 9:15 p.m. ET, though weather and technical factors could affect the timing.
The Falcon 9’s first stage has a proven track record, having supported 22 Starlink missions, the Crew-3 and Crew-4 astronaut flights, and satellite deployments for Eutelsat, SES, and Telkomsat. This particular booster previously launched the Turkish satellite Turksat 5B and the European Galileo navigation satellite L13. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the droneship Just Read the Instructions, located in the Atlantic Ocean.
The mission comes as SpaceX continues its efforts to expand Starlink’s global broadband network. The satellites will join hundreds already in orbit, providing internet services to underserved regions. The launch will be visible from parts of Florida’s Space Coast, with clear skies expected on Monday.
Local residents and space enthusiasts are encouraged to watch the launch from nearby beaches or through live streams. The event is expected to draw crowds to the Space Coast, a region that has become a hub for aerospace activity. The launch also highlights the ongoing collaboration between SpaceX and the U.S. military, which manages the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
This flight is part of SpaceX’s broader goal to reduce the cost of space travel through reusable rocket technology. The company has successfully landed and reused boosters multiple times, a practice that has become a cornerstone of its operations. The mission is expected to be the 100th Starlink launch since the program began in 2019.