Starlink

Previous Falcon 9 Starlink launch
Previous Falcon 9 Starlink launch

SpaceX is planning to launch Falcon 9 and the Starlink 12-13 mission tomorrow evening from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff is set for 11:26 PM but may change due to weather or SpaceX operational requirements.

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-13 
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Location: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Pad: Space Launch Complex 40
  • Status: Go for Launch
  • Status Info: Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
  • Window Opens: Monday, 02/24/2025 11:26:00 PM
  • Window Closes: Tuesday, 02/25/2025 3:06:00 AM
  • Destination: Low Earth Orbit
  • Mission Description: A batch of 21 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

This launch had been scheduled for this evening, but was shifted a day by SpaceX sometime Sunday morning.

Trajectory

Down the Bimini Highway: southeast to The Bahamas.

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45 has released their L-1 Launch Mission Execution Forecast: 60% GO improving to 20% GO through the launch window.

Online Viewing

SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 12-13.  This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage starts about fifteen minutes before liftoff.

Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link

For official updates regarding launch times, SpaceX.com is the best source of information. Starlink launch times change from time to time, and the company generally updates their website within minutes of the decision to change the launch time. This is very handy if none of the streaming options on YouTube have started their broadcasts.

Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.

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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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Spectators in Titusville watch the liftoff of Starlink 12-7 on January 28, 2025
Spectators in Titusville watch the liftoff of Starlink 12-7 on January 28, 2025
Spectators in Titusville watch the liftoff of Starlink 12-7 on January 28, 2025
Photo: Michael Lynch / Talk of Titusville

SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 this afternoon. Liftoff was at 5:04 PM EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The flight was nominal, and Booster B1076, which completed its 20th successful mission when it touched down offshore near The Bahamas on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions.’

About 20 seconds after the successful touchdown of B1076, the second stage and payload achieved orbit. About one hour after liftoff, the second stage will fire up for a roughly two second burn in order to circularize the spacecraft’s orbit, and after that, the payload will be deployed.

Payload

21 Starlink Mini v2 telecommunications satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink division. The Starlink constellation of satellites provides Internet connectivity to more than 118 countries, territories, and other markets around the world, reaching all 7 continents and oceans. As of December 2024, Starlink reported that they have more than 4.6 million customers worldwide.

It is rare to see the body of Falcon 9 past staging, but today’s air was clear and dry enough to afford spectacular views from spectators who watched the launch.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Next Launch

SpaceX plans to launch SpainSat NG-1 aboard Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center.

  • Date: NET January 28, 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 (0134 – 0334 UTC)
  • Payload: SpainSat New Generation 1, a telecommunication satellite for the government of Spain.
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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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Starlink 13-1 lifts off from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on January 21, 2024. Photo: SpaceX
Starlink 13-1 lifts off from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on January 21, 2024. Photo: SpaceX
Starlink 13-1 lifts off from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on January 21, 2024. Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX launched Falcon 9 carrying 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit Tuesday morning from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was at 12:24 AM EST under cloudy skies and relatively cool weather.

Around eight minutes and a half minutes after lifting off, Booster B1083 completed its 8th mission when it touched down safely on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, which was stationed offshore downrange. Previously, B1083 had flown Crew-8, Polaris Dawn, CRS-31, Astranis: From One to Many, and three Starlink missions, all successfully. ASOG and B1083 will now return to Port Canaveral for offloading and preparation for B1083’s next flight.

The second stage continued to orbit during the booster’s landing sequence and at 1:33 AM EST, SpaceX confirmed the deployment of the payload:

Payload

Individual Starlink satellites are part of Starlink constellation, which provides broadband-level Internet access all over the world, especially in remote areas. Currently, there are roughly 7,000 Starlink satellites in orbit. When each satellite reaches its end-of-life, it is deorbited by SpaceX in order to prevent any accumulation of space debris from the system.

A real-time graphic representation of Starlink satellites in orbit provided by satellite.space.

Launch Replay

Spaceflight Now archives launch coverage on their YouTube channel. Here is last night’s coverage.

Next Launch

Another Falcon 9 / Starlink launch is scheduled for Friday, January 24th.

  • Date: NET January 24, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 10-12
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 5:45 – 10:15 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites
  • Destination: Low-Earth Orbit

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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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