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SpaceX is preparing for another launch of 23 satellites for its Starlink internet service from Cape Canaveral. This marks the company’s second Falcon 9 launch of the day. The liftoff is scheduled for 8:17 p.m. EDT (0017 UTC).

Earlier on the same day, SpaceX successfully launched 22 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. With this launch, the total number of Starlink satellites currently in orbit has reached 4,989. If everything goes as planned, SpaceX will surpass 5,000 Starlink satellites in orbit by the end of the day.

The 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral has issued a forecast that gives the Falcon 9 an 85% chance of favorable launch conditions. The main concerns are liftoff wind limits and rules related to lightning-triggering cumulus clouds. There is also a low to moderate risk of poor weather in the booster recovery area near the Bahamas.

If necessary, SpaceX has five backup launch opportunities on Sunday night, with the final one scheduled for 10:47 p.m. EDT (0247 UTC).

Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage of the launch from the Cape, starting approximately one hour before liftoff.

The Falcon 9 rocket will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and will target an orbit inclined at 43 degrees to the equator.

The first-stage booster, which is making its eighth flight, is expected to land on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ about eight and a half minutes after launch. The booster, tail number B1077, has flown numerous missions, including delivering Crew 5 to the International Space Station and deploying various satellites.

The deployment of the 23 Starlink satellites into a 182×177 mile (293×285 km) orbit is scheduled to occur approximately 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 38 seconds after launch.

This launch will mark SpaceX’s 90th orbital mission in the last 365 days, averaging about one launch every four days. The company aims to increase the pace of launches and achieve 100 flights in 2023, with a total of 144 flights planned for 2024.

Sources:
– SpaceX
– 45th Weather Squadron

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