SpaceX is set to launch 28 Starlink satellites from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California today, further expanding its growing constellation. The mission, known as Starlink 11-21, will use a Falcon 9 rocket to place the V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit. This launch marks a significant milestone for the company, as it comes less than 55 hours after the previous mission, setting a record for the quickest turnaround at the West Coast launch pad.
The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off at 2:12 p.m. PDT (5:12 p.m. EDT / 2112 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 4 East. Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage starting approximately 30 minutes before the launch.
This mission utilizes the Falcon 9 booster with the tail number B1082, which has previously completed 16 flights, including missions such as USSF-62, NROL-145, and OneWeb Launch 20. Following liftoff, B1082 will aim for an autonomous landing on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’. If successful, this will mark the 161st touchdown on this vessel and the 525th booster landing overall for SpaceX.
SpaceX continues to demonstrate its efficiency and capability in satellite deployment. The Starlink 11-21 mission represents the 98th mission supporting the Starlink project this year alone. With this latest launch, SpaceX reinforces its position as a leader in the commercial space sector, contributing to global internet connectivity through its satellite network.
As the countdown progresses, the aerospace community and satellite internet users globally remain attentive to the advancements being made in low Earth orbit operations.
