SpaceX is set to launch 29 Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, marking another double launch day for the company. This mission, Starlink 10-40, will add 29 broadband internet satellites to low Earth orbit, bringing the total to 600 satellites launched by SpaceX in 2026. The launch is scheduled for 1:58 a.m. EST (0658 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with a north-easterly trajectory. Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage, starting an hour before liftoff.
The 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 90% chance of favorable weather, with a small chance of interference from cumulus clouds. However, meteorologists highlight the booster recovery weather as a potential concern. SpaceX will utilize the Falcon 9 first stage booster with the tail number 1080, which will be on its 25th flight. This booster has previously launched missions for Axiom Space, Northrop Grumman, and NASA, among others.
After liftoff, B1080 will aim for a landing on the drone ship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina, approximately 8.5 minutes later. If successful, this will be the 145th landing on this vessel and the 581st booster landing for SpaceX.
