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SpaceX Aims to Break Rocket-Reuse Record with Starlink Satellite Launch
SpaceX is on track to match its rocket-reuse milestone for the second time in a month as it prepares to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink internet satellites. The launch is scheduled for Saturday evening from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a window opening at 7:29 p.m. EDT (2329 GMT). This mission will mark the 19th liftoff for this Falcon 9’s first stage, equaling the record set by a different booster in December and matched by another rocket in February.
If all goes as planned, the Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth for the 19th time, executing a vertical landing approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions positioned off the Florida coast. Meanwhile, the rocket’s upper stage will deploy the 23 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit about 65 minutes after liftoff.
Launch Details and SpaceX Missions
SpaceX’s upcoming launch will mark the 28th Falcon 9 mission of 2024 thus far, following closely behind the recent cargo mission sent to the International Space Station for NASA. Notably, 17 out of the 27 Falcon 9 missions conducted this year have been dedicated to expanding Starlink, SpaceX’s extensive satellite internet network in low Earth orbit. According to astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, the Starlink constellation currently comprises over 5,550 operational spacecraft.
Those interested can watch the live coverage of the liftoff via SpaceX’s Twitter account here. The broadcast is expected to begin five minutes before the launch window opens to the public.
Related: To observe and track the Starlink satellite train in the night sky, refer to this guide.
Editor’s Note and Launch Schedule Update
Please note that this story has been updated as of 5:45 p.m. ET on March 22 to reflect the new target launch date of March 23. Originally planned for the evening of March 22, the launch was postponed by a day due to weather conditions.
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