SpaceX is preparing for a predawn launch on Thursday to deploy its next group of Starlink satellites from Florida’s Space Coast. The Starlink 10-61 mission is scheduled to lift off at 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 UTC) aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket will carry 28 Starlink V2 mini satellites, which are set to be deployed into low Earth orbit approximately one hour after launch.
The 45th Weather Squadron forecasts a 65% chance of favorable conditions during the launch window, with cumulus clouds being the primary weather concern. Launch weather officers indicated that while most cloud tops should remain within acceptable flight limits, a concentrated band of moisture could create unfavorable conditions.
This mission will mark the seventh flight for the Falcon 9 first-stage booster, B1092. Its previous flights include three national security missions, two Starlink deployments, and a cargo resupply flight to the International Space Station.
Following stage separation, the booster is slated to land on the drone ship ‘Just Read the Instructions’ about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. A successful recovery will be the 136th for this vessel and the 506th SpaceX booster landing to date.
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