SpaceX is gearing up once again for another major launch, marking its 86th Starlink mission this year alone—a staggering pace that highlights the company's relentless drive to expand its satellite internet network. This upcoming flight, known as Starlink 10-15, will carry 28 new Starlink V2 Mini satellites into orbit, further swelling the ranks of a megaconstellation that already boasts over 8,400 satellites circling the Earth. The launch is scheduled for early Thursday morning, with the Falcon 9 rocket set to lift off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station precisely at 4:39 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0839 UTC). For those eager to witness the event, Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage starting about an hour before liftoff, offering a front-row seat to this impressive feat of aerospace engineering.
Weather conditions are looking promising, with the 45th Weather Squadron forecasting a 90 percent chance of favorable weather for the launch window. While there is some potential for interference from mid and upper-level clouds, meteorologists have noted a drying trend that should help clear the skies by launch time. This kind of detailed weather forecasting is crucial for ensuring a safe and successful launch, as even minor atmospheric disturbances can impact rocket performance.
The Falcon 9 booster assigned to this mission is B1080, a veteran of the fleet that will be flying for the 22nd time. SpaceX’s practice of reusing boosters like B1080 is a key part of their strategy to reduce costs and increase launch frequency. After liftoff, approximately 8.5 minutes later, the booster will attempt a precision landing on the drone ship named A Shortfall of Gravitas, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. If successful, this will mark the 126th time this particular drone ship has recovered a booster and the 511th booster landing overall for SpaceX—a testament to the company’s pioneering work in rocket reusability.
The deployment of the 28 Starlink satellites is expected to occur about one hour and four minutes after liftoff, adding more capacity to SpaceX’s ambitious plan to provide global broadband internet access. This rapid cadence of launches and satellite deployments is reshaping how we think about connectivity, especially in remote or underserved regions.
But here’s where it gets controversial: while the expansion of Starlink promises to revolutionize internet access, it also raises concerns about space debris and the long-term sustainability of satellite megaconstellations. Are we trading immediate technological benefits for potential future risks in orbital congestion? What do you think—does the promise of global connectivity outweigh the environmental and safety challenges posed by thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
For more detailed updates and live coverage, you can follow the latest on Falcon 9, SpaceX, and Starlink missions through Spaceflight Now’s dedicated pages.
