SLC-40

Starlink 12-18 liftoff
Starlink 12-18 launches from Cape Canaveral. Photo by Ed Cordero / Florida Media Now
Starlink 12-18 launches from Cape Canaveral. Photo by Ed Cordero / Florida Media Now

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral today, and added another 21 satellites to their Starlink constellation. Liftoff was at 1:53 PM EST. Today’s mission was dubbed Starlink 12-18 publicly, and F9-436 internally at SpaceX.

It was the 18th successful mission for the Falcon 9 Booster B1077, which entered service in 2022 when it debuted carrying astronauts on the Crew-5 mission for NASA. Since then B2077 has lifted Crew-5, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, TD-7, Immarsat I6-F2, GPS III-6, NG-20, and now 11 Starlink missions.

Around eight minutes after liftoff, B1077 touched down offshore near The Bahamas aboard ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’. JRTI and B1077 will return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s facilities at the Cape to be refurbished and prepared for its next flight. Today’s landing was the 413th Falcon family booster landing, and the 108th landing on JRTI.

Payload

Starlink satellites are part of SpaceX’s initiative to create a global broadband internet network. Some key facts:

  1. Design: Starlink satellites are flat-panel devices equipped with multiple high-throughput antennas and solar panels. The design allows them to be launched in bulk.
  2. Orbit: They operate in low Earth orbit (LEO) at altitudes ranging from approximately 340 km to 1,200 km. This lowers latency compared to traditional satellites in geostationary orbit.
  3. Constellation: SpaceX has deployed thousands of satellite to date, creating a constellation that can provide extensive coverage and capacity across the globe.
  4. Communication: They use advanced phased-array technology for beam forming, allowing for high-speed data transmission to ground stations and user terminals.
  5. User Service: Customers use a Starlink dish (known as a user terminal) to connect to the network, which communicates with the satellites overhead.
  6. Launch: Starlink missions typically involve launching groups of satellites aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets.

Overall, Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency internet access, especially in rural and underserved areas to nearly five million customers in over 200 countries.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

Another Group 12 Starlink launch, this time in the wee hours of night:

  • Date: NET February 16, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 12-8
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 12:00 – 03:59 AM EST
  • Payload: More satellites for Group 12 of SpaceX’s Starlink constellation.
Starlink 12-18 in flight. Photo: Ed Cordero, Florida Media Now
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Timelapse of Starlink 12-9 flight. Photo: SpaceX
A timelapse of Falcon 9’s ascent Saturday February 8
Photo: SpaceX

Lather, rinse repeat: SpaceX successfully launched another tranche of Starlink satellites Saturday afternoon from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. The mission, dubbed Starlink 12-9, lifted off at 2:18 PM into bluebird skies.

SpaceX Falcon 9 and Starlink 12-9 lift off on February 8, 2025. Photo: SpaceX
Starlink 12-9 liftoff on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Photo: SpaceX

The flight plan was a familiar one: southeast, towards The Bahamas on a path some locals have dubbed “The Bimini Highway.” Booster B1078 completed its 17th mission when it touched down successfully aboard ASDS ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’, which was stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean, and both will now return to Port Canaveral so the booster can be offloaded, returned to SpaceX’s facilities and refurbished for its next flight.

Around the time that the first stage was touching down, the second stage and the Starlink payload was reaching orbit. After a quick rounding burn roughly one hour after launch, the satellites were deployed and the mission concluded successfully.

This was the 434th mission for Falcon 9, and the 1002nd orbital launch from venerable Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

A near-mimeograph of today’s launch NET Tuesday, February 11:

  • Date: NET February 11, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 12-18
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 12:00 – 4:43 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites
  • Destination: Low-Earth Orbit

Keep in mind that launch dates and times can and do change often, so be sure to check Talk of Titusville’s Launch Calendar for updates.

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The view from SpaceX’s pad-side livestream camera at liftoff shows how foggy it was at the launch pad this morning. Photo: SpaceX via X.com

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 carrying 21 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission, dubbed Starlink 12-3, lifted off at 5:15 AM into nearly opaque fog in the launch area.

It was the 21st successful mission for the Falcon 9 Booster B1069, which entered service in 2021 when it debuted carrying the CRS-24 mission for NASA. Since then it has lofted Hotbird 13F, OneWeb 15, SES 18&19, and now 17 Starlink missions.

At At 6:20 AM, SpaceX confirmed deployment of the satellites, making a successful conclusion to the company’s busy day.

Launch Replay

Payload

21 Starlink Mini v2 satellites, which will join Group 12 of Starlink’s orbital Internet connectivity constellation. Currently, there are roughly 7,000 operational Starlink satellites in orbit, according to Dr. Jonathon McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Starlink Mini v2 satellites being deployed. This photo was provided by SpaceX last year and was not from today’s mission.
Photo: SpaceX

Next Launch

SpaceX plans to launch t from Launch the Maxar 4 mission from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

  • Date: NET February 4, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Maxar 3 / WorldView Legion 5/6
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
  • Launch Window: 6:07 – 7:07 PM EST
  • Payload: WorldView Legion is a constellation of Earth observation satellites built and operated by Maxar. Constellation is planned to consist of 6 satellites in both polar and mid-inclination orbits, providing 30 cm-class resolution.
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On a crystal clear night, the rise of Falcon 9 and SpainSat NG I was visible across Florida. Florida Media Now's Ed Cordero captured this timelapse from Orlando. Photo: Ed Cordero FMN
On a crystal clear night, the rise of Falcon 9 and SpainSat NG I was visible across Florida. Florida Media Now's Ed Cordero captured this timelapse from Orlando.
On a crystal clear night, the rise of Falcon 9 and SpainSat NG I was visible across Florida. Florida Media Now’s Ed Cordero captured this timelapse from Orlando.
Photo: Ed Cordero FMN

SpaceX launched SpainSat NG-I aboard Falcon 9 this evening from Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was right at the opening of the launch window at 8:34 PM EST, and into crystalline winter skies over Florida.

Tonight was a rare expendable mission, meaning no attempt to land booster B1073 was made after it had completed its part of the mission at two minutes and forty seconds after liftoff. That was due to additional performance required to deliver this payload to orbit, and is part of the normal Falcon 9 product catalog.

After 21 successful flights, booster B1073 now sleeps with the fishes offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.

At precisely eight minutes after liftoff, Falcon 9’s second stage and the SpainSat payload were in their initial orbit, one which would be rounded slightly after just a bit more than twenty six and a half minutes by a one minute six second burn. From there, SpaceX deployed SpainSat NG I, concluding another successful mission for the company.

SpainSat NG I will now travel under its own power to its operational orbital position.

Payload

Airbus and Thales Alenia Space built SpainSat NG I for Hisdesat Servicios Estratégicos S.A., the Spanish Governmental Satellite Operator.

Airbus, one of the four co-Prime contractors that built SpainSat NG-I described the satellite said:

“SPAINSAT NG will provide coverage on a wide area of the world ranging from the United States and South America to the Middle East, including Africa and Europe and till Singapore in Asia. Both satellites will allow to:

•  Ensure effective command and control for beyond line-of-sight operations in 2/3 of the Earth.

• Guarantee communication capability in theatres of operation lacking communications infrastructure.

• Develop more satcom on the move, higher capacity, better secured and assured communications.

• Unlock the potential of the network centric battlespace-netcentric warfare and operations.

The communication payloads of both satellites will be provided by the Spanish industry, including the integration of the Communications Module in Spain, a major step forward for the Spanish industry. Airbus in Spain will be responsible for the X band payload, while Thales Alenia Space in Spain will be responsible for the UHF and mil-Ka band payloads. Other companies from the Spanish space industry will also be involved.

A time-lapse of Falcon 9’s flight as seen from Banana River near Cocoa Beach
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Next Launch

SpaceX returns to Starlink launches early on Monday morning when it plans to launch more Starlink Group 12 satellites.

  • Date: NET February 3, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink Group 12-3
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 3:54 AM – 8:25 AM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites
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Falcon 9 lifts off LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on December 5, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

After a rare lull in launch activities from the Cape, business will be picking up this week. SpaceX is planning to launch Starlink 12-7 from Space Launch Complex later this afternoon, and Wednesday evening, the company plans to launch the SpainSat NG I mission from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Both of the company’s flights will be aboard Falcon 9.

Starlink 12-7

  • Date: NET January 27, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 12-7
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 3:22 – 6:21 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites
  • Destination: Low-Earth Orbit
A Starlink launch
Falcon 9 carrying a batch of Starlink satellites lifts off from SLC-40 in 2024.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Weather

Trajectory

Southeastward, or left to right if you are facing the ocean in Titusville.

SpainSat NG-1

  • Date: NET January 29, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: SpainSat NG-1
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
  • Launch Window: 8:34 – 10:34 PM EST
  • Payload: Two government-owned telecommunications satellites for the Spanish government and their designees.
  • Destination: MEO
Falcon 9 lifts off.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron has not released a Mission Execution forecast for this launch at the time of this writing.

Trajectory

As always, keep in mind that launch dates and times are subject to cancellations, moves and time shifts.

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SpaceX Landing Zone 1

In a long expected move, documents showing that SpaceX is planning to shift operations away from Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral’s Space Force Station’s old LC-13 to an area just east of the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 40 have been filed.

A recently released Master Drainage Plan Modification plat shows the location of the new landing zone for Falcon 9 landings.

LZ-1 and LZ-2 (as they are colloquially known in the spaceflight community) are on the site of the former Launch Complex 13 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

LC-13 was constructed in 1956 used for test launches and operational Atlas launches from 1958 to 1978, when it was shuttered. The Mobile Service Tower was demolished by a controlled explosion in 2005 for safety reasons, and the blockhouse there was demolished in 2012.

A person standing in the middle of the main landing pad at LZ-1 shows its size.
Photo: SpaceX

Two New Landing Pads?

Also in the works, SpaceX is planning to build a landing zone aside its launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, but current conventional wisdom assumes this will be for SpaceX’s future Starship operations.

LC-13 History

LC-13 was originally used for operational and test launches of the Atlas ICBM, and Atlas B, D, E and F missiles were also test launched from there. It was the most-used and longest-serving of the original four Atlas pads.

  • April 1956 – LC-13 construction started
  • 14 April 1958 – Air Force accepted the launch complex
  • 2 August 1958 – First of two Atlas B launches
  • 14 April 1959 – 11 March 1960 – Thirteen Atlas D launches
  • 15 February 1960 – Atlas Able exploded during static firing
  • 11 October 1960 – 13 February 1962 – Fourteen Atlas E launches
  • 10 November 1961 – Monkey “Goliath” launched on Atlas E; mission failed
  • 9 August 1961 – One Atlas F launched
  • 1962-1963 – Pad converted into an Atlas Agena D complex for space launches. The A-frame Mobile Service Tower was demolished and a new larger, square-shaped structure was built.
  • 17 October 1963 – 20 July 1965 – Three VELA launches (two satellites each)
  • 5 November 1964 – NASA Mariner 3 mission launched by an Atlas Agena
  • 1966 – Launch complex turned over to NASA for civilian Atlas Agena D launches
  • 6 November 1966 – 4 March 1968 – Six NASA Atlas Agena D launched; five Lunar Orbiter and one Orbiting Geophysical Observatory E
  • March 1968 – Returned to Air Force
  • 6 August 1968 – 7 April 1978 – Eleven classified Atlas Agena D launches for the Air Force
  • 7 April 1978 – Launch complex deactivated after the last launch. Supported 51 Atlas and Atlas Agena launches
  • 6 August 2005 – Mobile Service Tower came down by a controlled explosion
  • June 2012 – Blockhouse demolished
  • February 2015 – Site leased by SpaceX to be used as a landing platform for the Falcon9 1st stage
  • Site renamed Landing Zone One (LZ-1)
  • 21 December 2015 B1019 touched down during Falcon 9 flight 20
  • 6 February 2018 Two booster touch down at LZ-1 and LZ-2 during Falcon Heavy Flight Test

    Source: Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum
Atlas Agena D with Mariner 3 on the launchpad, at Cape Canaveral. Photo: NASA
Atlas Agena D with Mariner 3 on the launchpad, at Cape Canaveral’s LC-13
Photo: NASA
August 2005 – Mobile Service Tower was demolished by a controlled explosion. US Air Force  ID 050809-F-0000X-012
August 2005 – Mobile Service Tower was demolished by a controlled explosion at LC-13
US Air Force  ID 050809-F-0000X-012
SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster B1019 touched down at LZ-1 during flight 20 to become the first successfully returned orbital booster. Photo: SpaceX
SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster B1019 touched down at LZ-1 during flight 20 to become the first successfully returned orbital booster.
Photo: SpaceX
Two booster touch down at LZ-1 and LZ-2 during Falcon Heavy Flight Test on 6 February 2018. Photo: SpaceX
Two booster touch down at LZ-1 and LZ-2 during Falcon Heavy Flight Test on 6 February 2018.
Photo: SpaceX

LC-13’s Future

In 2023, the 2-pad launch site has been allocated to Cocoa, Florida based Vaya Space and also Phantom Space through the Department of the Air Force’s Launch Pad Allocation Strategy (LPAS), a program designed to support the commercial space market and demand at the Eastern Range.

At the time, Kevin Lowdermilk, CEO of Vaya Space said, “We are proud to be selected as one of the four companies in the first round of the Launch Pad Allocation Strategy by the Space Force and we truly appreciate their support of commercial space launch. We are pleased to call SLC-13 home.”

Rendering of the Vaya Dauntless rocket. Graphic: Vaya Space
Rendering of the Vaya Dauntless rocket.
Graphic: Vaya Space

“Launching from SLC-13 gives Vaya Space a long-term home on the Eastern Range to support our customers’ launch needs,” added Rob Fabian, COO of Vaya Space. “We’re looking forward to many launches from there alongside our friends from Phantom Space. It’s encouraging to see a new generation of commercial space launch vehicles rise up in the footprints of the old Atlas launch vehicles the site was built to launch.”

Vaya is producing the Dauntless rocket, which is propelled by solid rocket fuel. That fuel is produced from 99% recycled post-industrial thermoplastic, and the Dauntless rocket will utilize more than 7.8 metric tons per launch. Vaya states that the spent fuel exhaust will safely break it down into non-toxic byproducts.

Timing

At this point in time, the dates for the approval, construction and eventual move of SpaceX landing operations to the new landing pad are not known.

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Starlink 12-12 in flight
Falcon 9 / Starlink 12-12 in flight over Florida today. Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
Falcon 9 / Starlink 12-12 in flight over Florida today.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit today from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 2:11 PM ET (1911 UTC) after several pushbacks in the window, presumably due to windy weather.

Today’s launch was the 997th orbital launch from Cape Canaveral.

Visitors watch the launch from Scobie Park in Downtown Titusville as SpaceX launches Starlink 12-12 into orbit from SLC-40 at 2:11pm after a delay from this morning’s scheduled launch time.
Photo: Michael Lynch, Talk of Titusville

The flight was nominal, and Booster B1067, the most experienced booster in SpaceX’s fleet, completed its 25th successful mission when it touched down offshore near The Bahamas on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions.’

Around 8.2 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1077 successfully completed its 17th mission when it touched down offshore on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, which was positioned offshore near The Bahamas. Previously, B1067 launched previously CRS-22, CRS-25, Crew-3, Crew-4, TelkomSat-113BT, Turksat-5B, Koreasat-6A, Eutelsat HOTBIRD-F2, Galileo L13, mPOWER-A, PSN MFS, and 13 Starlink missions.

JRTI will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center for inspection and any needed refurbishment prior to its next flight.

At 8:11 into flight, Falcon 9’s second stage and the Starlink payload achieved their initial elliptical orbit.

Launch Replay

Payload

24 Starlink Mini v2 satellites, which will join Group 6 of Starlink’s orbital Internet connectivity constellation. Currently, there are over 6,900 Starlink satellites in orbit, according to Dr. Jonathon McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Starlink Mini v2 satellites being deployed. This photo was provided by SpaceX last year and was not from today’s mission.
Photo: SpaceX

Next Launch

If — and it is a big if — seas calm down offshore in the Atlantic, Blue Origin will attempt the maiden voyage of its New Glenn rocket.

  • Date: NET January 13, 2025
  • Organization: Blue Origin
  • Mission: NG-1
  • Rocket: New Glenn
  • Launch Site: LC-36, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 01:00 – 04:00 EST (0600-0900 UTC)
  • Payload: Blue Ring Pathfinder
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Starlink 6-71 ascending towards orbit on January 6, 2024
Photo: Ed Cordero / Florida Media Now

SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit today from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 3:43 PM ET (2043 UTC) after several pushbacks in the window, presumably due to windy weather from an approaching cold front expected to arrive this evening on the Space Coast.

Around 8.2 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1077 successfully completed its 17th mission when it touched down offshore on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, which was positioned offshore near The Bahamas. Previously, previously launched Crew-5, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, Optus-X, Immarsat I6-F2, GPS III-6, NG-20, and nine Starlink missions. 

JRTI will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility for inspection and any needed refurbishment prior to its next flight.

Spectators watch the liftoff of Falcon 9 from Titusville.
Photo: Michael Lynch / Talk of Titusville

At 8:39 into flight, Falcon 9’s second stage and the Starlink payload achieved their initial elliptical orbit, which was rounded by a short second burn at the 54:03 mark of the mission. Payload deployment was one hour, five minutes and twelve seconds after liftoff, marking a successful end to SpaceX’s second mission in 2025 from the Eastern Range.

Payload

24 Starlink Mini v2 satellites, which will join Group 6 of Starlink’s orbital Internet connectivity constellation. Currently, there are over 6,900 Starlink satellites in orbit, according to Dr. Jonathon McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Starlink Mini v2 satellites being deployed. This photo was provided by SpaceX last year and was not from today’s mission.
Photo: SpaceX

Launch Replay

Next Launch

SpaceX plans to launch Starlink 12-11 from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

  • Date: NET January 8, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 12-11
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
  • Launch Window: 10:24 AM – 2:55 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites for SpaceX’s ISP constellation.
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Via SpaceX Livestream

SpaceX launched the Thuraya-4 satellite for Yahsat / Space 42 this evening from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 8:27 PM EST (0027 UTC) on a cool evening on the Space Coast.

Tonight’s launch was the first from the Eastern Range in 2025 in what is expected to be another record year for launches from the combined facilities of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.

Around 8.25 minutes after lifting off, Booster B1073 completed its 20th mission when it touched down on ASDS ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’, which was stationed offshore downrange. ASOG and B1073 will now return to Port Canaveral for offloading and preparation for B1073’s next flight.

The second stage and payload achieved its initial orbit at about eight minutes into the flight, and that orbit was rounded about twenty-eight minutes later, with a successful payload deployment shortly after the 35th minute of the mission.

Payload

Thuraya 4-NGS is a communication satellite built by Airbus UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat). It is built on the all-electric Airbus Eurostar-Neo Platform and will incorporate a large 12-meter L-band antenna and a payload capable of processing providing 3200 channels over a large number of spot beams.

Thuraya is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat), a public company and subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company. Established in 1997, Thuraya is the UAE’s first home-grown satellite operator.

Thuraya 4
Thuraya 4 rendering, released by Yahsat.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

SpaceX is planning to launch Starlink 6-71 from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center NET Monday, January 6, 2025. The launch window opens at 11:44 AM EST (1644 UTC) and closes at 4:15 PM (2115 UTC) the same day.

  • Date: NET January 6, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 6-71
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 11:43 AM – 4:15 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites for SpaceX’s ISP constellation.
A relatively large group of spectators lined the banks of the Indian River in Titusville to view tonight’s launch.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
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SpaceX Falcon 9 launching BlueBird 1-5 on September 12, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
SpaceX Falcon 9 launching BlueBird 1-5 on September 12, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

2025 is here, and it won’t take long for the Eastern Range to open its new year for the facility: SpaceX plans to launch the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite for UAE based Yahsat on Friday evening, while preparations for Blue Origin to the fly New Glenn on its maiden launch continue apace, with a target date of early Monday morning.

Quick Glance At The Year To Come

There were 93 launches from KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in 2024, with the bulk of those launches being SpaceX / Falcon 9 missions. In 2025, Elon Musk said “Probably [greater than] 180 Falcon launches in 2025” and the bulk of those will be from here on the Space Coast.

United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno said ULA has 20 missions on its 2025 manifest. Payload readiness will be the apparent limiting limiting factor, according to Bruno, and like Falcon 9, the bulk of those missions will launch from the company’s Eastern Range launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41.

Blue Origin will also add to the launch count, with several New Glenn missions slated to lift off from LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The current target for the year has not been stated by the company, and much depends on the success of the first flew flights of the new rocket.

All in all, it is fair to say that like 2024, the record for the number of launches from Florida will be broken come year’s end.

SpaceX

SpaceX has two launches on the schedule for this weekend.

  • Thuraya 4-NGS – Friday 3 January – 08:27 PM – 12:53 AM EST
  • Starlink 6-71 – Sunday 5 January – 12:10PM – 4:41 PM EST

Thuraya 4

A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off carrying the GSAT-20 mission on November 18, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off carrying the GSAT-20 mission on November 18, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Thuraya 4-NGS is a communication satellite built by Airbus UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat). It is built on the all-electric Airbus Eurostar-Neo Platform and will incorporate a large 12-meter L-band antenna and a payload capable of processing providing 3200 channels over a large number of spot beams.

Thuraya is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat), a public company and subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company. Established in 1997, Thuraya is the UAE’s first home-grown satellite operator.

Formed in 2008 and publicly traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Yahsat serves customers in 150 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia and Australia. They offer voice, data, video and internet services for broadcast, Internet, and VSAT users for both private and government organizations.

Thuraya 4 rendering, released by Yahsat.

Thuraya 4 will be aboard Falcon 9 and launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Via Space Launch Delta 45 of the US Air Force on 1/1/2025

Starlink 6-71

SpaceX plans to add to its ever-growing Starlink constellation with the Starlink 6-71 mission. There are around 6,800 Starlink satellites in orbit currently, with several thousand more planned. The mission will carry another batch of 20-23 Starlink Mini V2 units to join the company’s Group 6 band of satellites.

Starlink launching in 2023 from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral.
Starlink launching in 2023 from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Falcon 9 will be again be the workhorse for this mission, also planned to launch from SLC-40 on Sunday afternoon, with the window opening at 12:10 PM EST.

Neither launch has been officially announced by SpaceX, so stay tuned.

Blue Origin

After completing its integrated vehicle hotfire test and wet dress rehearsal successfully, Blue Origin appears to be planning to launch New Glenn from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the wee hours of Monday morning with the launch window opening at 01:00 AM EST on January 6th.

New Glenn during successful integrated vehicle hotfire.
Photo: Blue Origin

Following the hotfire, Blue Origin’s prime investor and driving force, Jeff Bezos said succinctly, “Next stop launch.”

This will be the first flight of the 320-foot tall rocket for the company. Aboard will be test components for Blue Ring.

Despite the late (or early?) hour that Blue Origin plans to launch New Glenn, this is likely one of the launches of the year from the Eastern Range. That’s because New Glenn is large, and mighty with 3.8 million pounds of thrust coming from seven Blue Origin BE-4 engines. This promises to be a loud rocket, and one well worth watching.

The launch window extends from 01:00 AM EST (0600Z) to 04:45 AM (1045Z) the same day.

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