SpaceX is set to continue its rapid launch schedule today with the deployment of 28 additional Starlink satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 2:12 PM PDT (5:12 PM EDT / 2112 UTC).
This mission, designated Starlink 11-21, marks the 98th launch of Starlink satellites this year. If the launch proceeds as planned, it will establish a new record for the quickest turnaround at SpaceX”s West Coast launch site, occurring just under 55 hours after the previous Starlink 11-12 mission, which took place on Saturday.
The launch will utilize the Falcon 9 booster identified as B1082, which has completed 16 previous flights, including missions for USSF-62, NROL-145, OneWeb Launch 20, and 13 batches of Starlink satellites. Following liftoff, the booster is expected to make an autonomous landing on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You,” approximately 8.5 minutes after launch. A successful landing would mark the 161st recovery on this vessel and the 525th overall booster landing for the company.
Live coverage of the launch will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the scheduled liftoff. SpaceX has been actively setting turnaround records this month on both coasts, demonstrating its commitment to expanding the Starlink satellite constellation.
