Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
SpaceX plans to launch the Starlink 6-43 mission Sunday, March 10 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
The payload will be another tranche of 23 Starlink satellites that will be ferried low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. According to the company, “liftoff is targeted for 7:05 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 11:03 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, March 11 starting at 6:40 p.m. ET.”
Weather
At this time, the 45th Weather Squadron has not released a Probability of Violation forecast for the launch.
The National Weather Service’s general forecast for the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Skid Strip calls for “Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.“
Trajectory
Southeast, as has been customary for Group 6 Starlink payloads.
Booster
Booster B1077 will be making its eleventh flight.
B1077 was first used for the Crew-5 mission. Its last mission was the NG-20 for Northrup Grumman on January 30, 2024.
| Flight | Mission | Date |
| 1 | Crew-5 | 10/15/2023 |
| 2 | GPS III SV06 | 01/18/2023 |
| 3 | Inmarsat-6 F2 | 02/18/2023 |
| 4 | Starlink Group 5-10 | 03/29/2023 |
| 5 | Dragon CRS-2 SpX-28 | 06/05/2023 |
| 6 | Galaxy 37 | 08/03/2023 |
| 7 | Starlink Group 6-13 | 09/01/2023 |
| 8 | Starlink Group 6-25 | 10/30/2023 |
| 9 | Starlink Group 6-33 | 12/07/2023 |
| 10 | Northrup Grumman NG-20 | 01/30/2024 |
Online Viewing
A live webcast of this mission will begin on SpaceX’s X account feed about five minutes prior to liftoff.
Watch live on X.
SpaceX’s official web page has links to live coverage as well as up-to-date planned launch times. Starlink 6-43 Mission Page.
Spaceflight Now will begin its live launch feed one hour prior to liftoff.
SFN on Youtube.
Launch Viewing: In Person
Tomorrow’s launch is from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are at either the Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, or the southern parks on US-1 / S. Washington Avenue in Titusville.
The ascending rocket will also be visible on the beaches after liftoff when Falcon 9 clears any obstructions.
If you plan to attend in person, don’t forget mosquito spray. You’ll probably be glad you brought some.