SpaceX to launch 23 Starlink satellites later today (May 6, 2024)

SpaceX will launch a new Falcon 9 rocket later today from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This will be the second Starlink and third overall mission of this month. The payload will carry 23 Starlink satellites similar to the mission from May 2nd.

The operator of the largest satellite constellation is rapidly growing the number of active satellites orbiting around the Earth. These new satellite aims to improve the connectivity for Starlink consumers and commercial customers.

The liftoff is targeted for 12:36 p.m. ET. The mission has backup launch opportunity available until 2:48 p.m. ET. The vehicle could also fly the next day at 11:09 a.m. ET if required.

Accuweather confirms that the weather will be mostly sunny throughout the day. So, the launch could go as planned and the live broadcast feed will come a few minutes before the liftoff.

Starlink Satellite In Earth’s Orbit

Booster

This will be the 15th orbital flight for the first stage booster and previously supported important missions including CRS, SES, and OneWeb-1. Once separated, the first stage will land on a droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

According to mission milestones, SpaceX aims to deploy Starlink satellites around 1 hour in the mission time.

(source)