SpaceX Set for 59th Launch from Cape Canaveral: 28 New Satellites!

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA - Early risers on Florida’s Space Coast are in for a spectacle as Florida Today reports that SpaceX is prepping for its 59th rocket launch of the year on Tuesday, July 8, at 4:21 a.m. The mission, dubbed Starlink 10-28, aims to deploy 28 new broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit, further expanding SpaceX’s impressive constellation of satellites.

The launch will take place from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This location was chosen despite an FAA advisory initially suggesting pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It seems the team is all set for an early morning countdown, but weather conditions could play a role in the show. The National Weather Service is forecasting a 30% chance of showers and storms before the early hours of launch day, with mostly cloudy skies and mild temperatures hovering around 75°F.

Weather Watch

As the countdown clocks tick, how will the weather hold up for this highly anticipated launch? The skies will surely be a topic of discussion for spectators and SpaceX teams alike. Previous launches have seen varied weather conditions, with missions needing to adapt to fluctuating forecasts. For instance, prior to a recent launch, the 45th Weather Squadron reported an 80% chance of favorable weather, only to deal with lingering cumulus clouds and occasional coastal showers later on. Weather can add a dash of drama to these high-tech affairs!

On the launch front, last month saw SpaceX successfully launch 27 Version 2 Mini Optimized Starlink satellites during the Starlink 10-16 mission from the same complex. Launched at 3:54 p.m. EDT, that mission added to the rapidly growing fleet of nearly 8,000 satellites already in orbit, and just like clockwork, the Falcon 9 booster B1080 completed its 20th flight, landing perfectly on the droneship “Just Read the Instructions.”

Bringing the Stars Closer

Maybe not everyone knows, but the broader goal of the Starlink mission is to provide broadband internet service on a global scale. SpaceX has big plans in place; the company has also secured an impressive $81.6 million contract from Space Force for the upcoming USSF-178 mission slated for the first half of 2027. This mission includes the Weather System Follow-on-Microwave Space Vehicle 2 (WSF-M2) that aims to improve weather predictions alongside several smaller satellites geared toward diverse Department of Defense objectives.

Earlier launches have included several missions from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, like the recent June 16 flyby that deployed 26 satellites, pushing the Starlink network further. With each launch, SpaceX also showcases an increasing proficiency in rocket recovery, as evidenced by the successful landings of their boosters which add to an impressive tally of 468 overall successful booster landings.

Tuesday’s launch promises to be yet another exciting episode in SpaceX’s ongoing journey, and for those lucky enough to get a view, the dawn sky should be a remarkable sight. Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed that the weather plays nice! After all, it’s not just another rocket launch at Cape Canaveral; it’s part of a grand vision to connect the globe!