Cape Canaveral, Florida – Following the successful launch of the European Commission’s Galileo satellites, SpaceX is gearing up for another milestone with the upcoming launch of a new batch of Starlink high-speed internet satellites. This Falcon 9 launch is scheduled to be the 29th dedicated launch of Starlink satellites in 2024, continuing the company’s efforts to expand global internet coverage.
The Starlink 6-54 mission is set to lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with a launch time of 6:08 p.m. EDT. In case of any delays, SpaceX has backup opportunities available until 9:48 p.m. EDT. The launch will be closely monitored and covered live by Spaceflight Now, starting approximately one hour before liftoff.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster for this mission, identified as tail number B1076 in SpaceX’s fleet, will be making its 13th flight. Previously, this booster has supported various missions including Ovzon 3, Intelsat IS-40e, SpaceX’s 26th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-26) flight, and six Starlink missions. After liftoff, the booster is expected to land on the SpaceX droneship, ‘Just Read the Instructions’, marking the 80th successful landing on this platform and the 301st booster landing overall.
The deployment of 23 new Starlink satellites during this mission will contribute to the existing constellation of 5,874 satellites currently in orbit. According to expert orbital tracker Jonathan McDowell, this launch will bring the total number of Starlink satellites launched in 2024 to 633. Additionally, SpaceX recently announced that the Federated States of Micronesia has become the latest country to gain access to Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet service.
As the Starlink 6-54 launch progresses, another significant event in space exploration unfolds with the undocking of the SpaceX Cargo Dragon from the International Space Station for its return journey to Earth. The successful splashdown off the coast of Florida, scheduled for Tuesday morning, will mark the end of the CRS-30 mission, which involved more than 30 days of scientific research onboard the ISS.
The upcoming relocation of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft within the ISS is also crucial in preparing for Boeing’s first crewed mission to the station using its Starliner spacecraft. This maneuver, planned for May 2, signifies the collaborative efforts and advancements in space technology as multiple missions align in the realm of space exploration.
