SpaceX is targeting Thursday, May 2 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink small satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 10:23 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 1:17 a.m. ET on Friday, May 3. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, May 3 starting at 9:03 p.m. ET.
This is SpaceX’s 30th Starlink flight of the year. The mission will add 23 more satellites to the mega constellation.The 45th Weather Squadron at the Cape forecast about 85 percent chance of favorable conditions at liftoff with some consideration for clouds in the area.
SpaceX has launched 656 Starlink satellites in 2024 in over 29 flights. According to astronomer and expert spacecraft tracker Jonathan McDowell, there are currently 5,896 Starlink satellites on orbit.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
This is the 19th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, SES 03b mPOWER, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2, and nine Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.