A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch 28 Starlink satellites today from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission, known as Starlink 11-21, aims to deploy the V2 Mini version of the satellites into low Earth orbit. If the launch occurs on schedule, it will establish a new record for the quickest turnaround at SpaceX’s West Coast launch facility, with just under 55 hours since the previous Starlink 11-12 mission took off.
The launch is slated for 2:12 p.m. PDT (5:12 p.m. EDT / 21:12 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 4 East. Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage starting approximately 30 minutes prior to liftoff, ensuring viewers can follow the event in real time.
This mission utilizes Falcon 9 booster B1082, marking its 17th flight after a series of successful missions, including USSF-62, NROL-145, OneWeb Launch 20, and 13 batches of Starlink satellites. The booster will aim for an autonomous landing on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ around 8.5 minutes post-launch.
If successful, this landing will be the 161st recovery on that specific vessel, contributing to SpaceX’s growing record of 525 booster landings overall. Additionally, it will represent the 98th mission dedicated to supporting the Starlink constellation in 2023 alone.
The rapid pace of SpaceX launches highlights the company’s commitment to expanding its satellite internet service, which aims to provide global coverage. Each successful mission not only enhances the constellation but also demonstrates SpaceX’s engineering capabilities and operational efficiency.
As the countdown progresses, attention will undoubtedly be focused on whether SpaceX can achieve yet another milestone in its ambitious launch schedule. The ongoing developments in satellite technology and space exploration continue to capture public interest, making each launch a significant event in the aerospace industry.
