Florida's Space Coast is preparing for a busy Thursday morning with two separate rocket launches scheduled just hours apart from Cape Canaveral. SpaceX plans to launch a batch of its Starlink internet satellites, followed shortly by a United Launch Alliance mission carrying satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper.
Key Takeaways
- Two separate rocket launches are scheduled for Thursday morning from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
- SpaceX will launch 28 Starlink satellites, with a window opening at 4:36 a.m. ET.
- United Launch Alliance will launch Amazon's Project Kuiper satellites, with a window opening at 8:09 a.m. ET.
- The SpaceX Falcon 9 booster for this mission is making its 22nd flight, a new milestone in rocket reusability.
- Both missions are part of ongoing efforts to build large satellite constellations for global internet service.
SpaceX to Begin the Day with Starlink Mission
The first launch of the morning will be conducted by SpaceX. The company is targeting a four-hour window that opens at 4:36 a.m. ET on Thursday. The mission will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The payload for this flight consists of 28 Starlink satellites. These will be added to the company's growing constellation in low-Earth orbit, which is designed to provide high-speed internet access to underserved areas across the globe.
A Veteran Booster Takes Flight
The Falcon 9 first-stage booster assigned to this mission is one of SpaceX's most experienced. This will be its 22nd launch and landing, highlighting the company's leadership in rocket reusability. According to SpaceX, this specific booster has a notable flight history.
Previous Missions for the Booster
This flight-proven booster has supported a diverse range of important missions for both commercial and government partners. Its previous launches include:
- Ax-2 and Ax-3 commercial astronaut missions to the ISS
- The European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope
- NASA's CRS-30 commercial resupply mission
- SES ASTRA 1P and NG-21 commercial satellite deployments
- Fifteen prior Starlink missions
Following stage separation, the booster will attempt to land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be positioned in the Atlantic Ocean. This recovery allows SpaceX to refurbish the booster for future flights, significantly reducing the cost of accessing space.
ULA to Launch Amazon's Project Kuiper Satellites
Shortly after the SpaceX launch, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is scheduled for its own mission. ULA will use its powerful Atlas V rocket to send another group of satellites into orbit for Amazon's Project Kuiper.
The launch is planned from the adjacent Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41). The launch window is much shorter, running for just 29 minutes from 8:09 a.m. to 8:38 a.m. ET.
What is Project Kuiper?
Project Kuiper is Amazon's initiative to build a low-Earth orbit satellite network capable of providing fast, affordable broadband to communities worldwide. Similar to SpaceX's Starlink, it aims to connect households, schools, hospitals, and businesses that currently lack reliable internet access.
This launch is part of a large-scale deployment campaign for Amazon as it works to build out its satellite constellation. The company has secured dozens of launches with ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin to deploy more than 3,200 satellites over the coming years.
A Crowded Sky for Global Internet
Thursday's back-to-back launches underscore the intense competition and rapid development in the satellite internet sector. Both SpaceX and Amazon are investing billions of dollars to establish dominant positions in this emerging market.
"These launches represent two of the largest efforts to reshape global connectivity from space. The ability to launch satellites at this frequency is critical to building and maintaining these complex networks."
Low-Earth orbit constellations require hundreds or thousands of satellites to provide continuous global coverage. This necessitates a high launch cadence, which companies like SpaceX and ULA are working to provide. For residents and visitors on the Space Coast, it means an increasing frequency of rocket launches lighting up the sky.
Both missions depend on favorable weather conditions. Launch officials will be closely monitoring the weather in the hours leading up to the scheduled liftoff times. Any delays could push one or both launches to a backup date.