SpaceX is set to launch a batch of Starlink satellites on November 14, 2023, marking its first evening flight since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted restrictions on commercial launches. The Starlink 6-94 mission is scheduled to lift off from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 19:12 EST (00:12 UTC). This launch will carry 29 satellites that are part of SpaceX’s effort to enhance its global internet service.
The FAA had imposed a daytime curfew on commercial launches during the recent government shutdown, which affected launch schedules by delaying launches until after 10 p.m. EST. This restriction was lifted on November 13, 2023, allowing SpaceX to resume its earlier launch times. Prior to this, the previous two Starlink missions had also been delayed due to the FAA’s regulations.
Launch Forecast and Mission Details
Meteorologists from the 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral predict a 95-percent chance of favorable conditions for the launch. This positive forecast increases the likelihood of a successful mission as the Falcon 9 rocket prepares for its flight.
Upon liftoff, the Falcon 9 will follow a south-easterly trajectory. The mission will utilize Falcon 9 booster B1085, which will be making its 12th flight. Following the launch, the booster is set to land on the drone ship named ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, positioned in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas. After approximately one hour and five minutes, the 29 Starlink satellites will detach from the Falcon 9’s second stage to begin their operation.
Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage of the launch, starting approximately one hour before the scheduled lift-off. As SpaceX continues to expand its satellite constellation, this mission exemplifies the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing internet accessibility worldwide.
