SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday, March 17, at 7:28 a.m. EDT. The Starlink 10-46 mission will deploy 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites to expand SpaceX’s low Earth orbit constellation. The rocket will follow a north-easterly trajectory after liftoff. Live coverage will begin about an hour before the scheduled launch time. The 45th Weather Squadron forecasts a 75% chance of favorable weather conditions during the launch window. Meteorologists are monitoring strong liftoff winds, cumulus clouds, and a moderate risk to the booster recovery zone. SpaceX will use Falcon 9 first-stage booster B1090 for the mission. This will be the booster’s 11th flight, following previous missions including Crew-10, Bandwagon-3, and CRS-33. Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1090 is expected to land on the drone ship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ in the Atlantic Ocean. If successful, this will be the 147th landing on the vessel and the 587th booster landing in SpaceX’s history. The launch marks another step in SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to build out the Starlink network, which aims to provide global broadband internet. The mission will be the first of several planned launches in the coming months from the Space Force Station. Local residents and space enthusiasts are encouraged to watch the launch from nearby viewing areas, though access to the launch site will be restricted to authorized personnel. SpaceX has not announced any changes to its launch schedule despite the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. The company’s next mission is expected to take place in late March, pending weather and technical evaluations.