SpaceX is scheduled to launch 27 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, utilizing a veteran Falcon 9 booster on its 17th flight, according to mission schedules and reporting from Spaceflight Now and Tesla North.
Launch Details and Flight Profile
Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East is targeted for an opening window at 6:47 p.m. PDT (9:47 p.m. EDT / 0147 UTC), according to Spaceflight Now. The rocket will hug the California coastline on a southeasterly trajectory. According to Tesla North, residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear sonic booms during the booster’s return, depending on weather conditions. Spaceflight Now reports that live coverage will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to liftoff, while Tesla North notes that SpaceX streams broadcasts starting about 10 minutes before launch.
Booster History and Droneship Landing
The Falcon 9 first-stage booster, designated B1093, is making its 17th flight to space and back, as detailed by Spaceflight Now. B1093 previously launched two missions for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency (SDA), the Transporter-16 mission, and 13 batches of Starlink satellites, according to Spaceflight Now and Tesla North. Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1093 will target a landing on the autonomous droneship Of Course I Still Love You stationed in the Pacific Ocean, per Spaceflight Now reporting. If successful, this will mark the 225th landing on that specific vessel and the 662nd Falcon booster landing to date.
Did you know? Booster B1093’s flight tonight follows a similar mission profile flown earlier this month from the same pad, when booster B1063 carried 27 Starlinks on its 35th flight, according to Tesla North.
Payload Deployment and Fleet Cadence
The 27 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites onboard will deploy a little more than an hour after liftoff, according to Spaceflight Now. This mission marks the 81st Starlink flight of the year for SpaceX. Tesla North notes that this launch maintains the steady cadence of Falcon 9 flights while the company awaits regulatory approval for Starship Flight 14, which recently slipped to September 28 following a $946 million NASA deal secured for three additional crewed space station flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the SpaceX launch happen?
The launch window opens at 6:47 p.m. PDT (9:47 p.m. EDT / 0147 UTC) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, according to Spaceflight Now.
Where will the Falcon 9 booster land?
Booster B1093 is scheduled to land on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean about 8.5 minutes after liftoff, per Spaceflight Now.
How many satellites are onboard this mission?
The rocket carries 27 Starlink v2 Mini satellites, according to Spaceflight Now and Tesla North.
Can residents see or hear the launch?
The rocket should be visible to millions along the California coast, and residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear sonic booms during the return, according to Spaceflight Now and Tesla North.
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