On Wednesday, August 28 at 3:48 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. There was however a failure on the booster landing that resulted in flames and the loss of the Falcon 9.
This was the 23rd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission that erupted in a fireball of flames resulting in the Falcon 9 booster to tumble into the Atlantic Ocean after one of the three legs collapsed. This booster previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04,
This was the first time in more than three years that SpaceX lost one of its reusable Falcon 9 boosters during a landing attempt.
SpaceX plans Starlink Group 8-6 launch Wednesday at Cape of 21 smallsats including 13 Direct-to-Cell
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, August 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 2:54 a.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 4:48 a.m. ET. If needed, additional launch opportunities are available on Thursday, August 29 starting at 1:26 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.
This is the 23rd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8, and 15 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.