SpaceX is preparing to launch its third batch of Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit since Monday morning. If the company is able to launch during its window of opportunity on Thursday, it will mark the fastest pad turnaround for Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at 2 days, 17 hours and 43 minutes.
Liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is set for 7:53 p.m. EDT (2353 UTC). If SpaceX is unable to launch at that time, they likely have a 24-hour backup opportunity on Friday.
Spaceflight Now will have live coverage beginning about an hour prior to liftoff.
Coming into the launch opportunity, the 45th Weather Squadron forecast a 50 percent chance of favorable weather at liftoff. Meteorologists cite concerns with the liftoff winds, which they forecast to be between 18 and 25 miles per hour at launch time.
“Drier, cooler air is beginning to funnel into the peninsula as high pressure builds in across the southeast,” launch weather officers wrote. “Gusty winds will set up [on Wednesday] through the end of the week as the onshore gradient increases due to the strengthening high pressure.
“The latest model forecast wind speeds have trended slightly downward for the launch day, but it’s likely they will still flirt with liftoff thresholds, especially early in the window. Little change for the backup day with just a small uptick in winds as they turn more easterly, resulting in a higher [probability of violation] for Liftoff Winds.”
The 24-hour back-up scenario shows just a 40 percent chance of launch worth conditions, but also adds the presence of cumulus clouds into the mix.
A little more than eight minutes after liftoff, the first stage booster will target a touchdown on the SpaceX droneship, ‘Just Read the Instructions.’ If all goes well, this will be the 94th successful booster landing using JRTI and the 355th booster landing to date.
This launch of Starlink satellites will also bring the total number of orbital launches from Florida this year to 71, one shy from tying the total launched in 2023.
