Update 6:42 p.m. EDT: SpaceX adjusted the T-0 liftoff time of the mission.
SpaceX is set to conduct its second Falcon 9 launch of the day, following a planned missions for satellite communications company, SES, from Florida. SpaceX aims to launch another batch of its Starlink satellites, which include another 13 with direct to cell (DTC) capabilities.
Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California is set for 8:40 p.m. PDT (11:40 p.m. EDT, 0340 UTC). This will mark the 20th orbital launch from California in 2024 so far.
Spaceflight Now will have live coverage beginning about 30 minutes prior to liftoff.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, tail number B1082 in the SpaceX fleet, will be launching for a fifth time. It previously supported the launches of the United States Space Force-62 (USSF-62) mission and three Starlink flights.
A little more than eight minutes after liftoff, B1082 is set to land on the SpaceX droneship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You.’ If successful, it will make the 93rd booster landing on OCISLY and the 320th overall booster landing.
Despite an unusually long period without launches (between June 8 and June 18), SpaceX is still confident that it will hit or exceed its orbital launch goals this year.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Jon Edwards, SpaceX’s vice president of Falcon Launch Vehicles, said “We still have a good shot at 148. In fact, we may even try to do a few more this year.”
Daisy Hips is a science communicator who brings the wonders of the natural world to readers. Her articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to environmental conservation. Daisy is also an advocate for science education and enjoys stargazing in her spare time.
