Cape Canaveral, Florida – SpaceX is preparing for its next Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sunday night. The launch, known as the Starlink 6-43 mission, is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 40, with backup opportunities available until 11:03 p.m. The Falcon 9 rocket will deploy 23 Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit, contributing to SpaceX’s ever-growing constellation of satellites.
The 45th Weather Squadron of the Space Force has predicted a 95% chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 57 degrees. The weather forecast indicates a low possibility of any cloud violations that could hinder the launch. Following stage separation, the Falcon 9 first-stage booster will aim to land on a SpaceX drone ship near The Bahamas, rather than at the Space Force station to prevent sonic booms in Brevard County.
Notably, the Space Coast’s previous Starlink mission took off under dense fog conditions, creating challenges for photographers at the Cape. However, spectators elsewhere enjoyed breathtaking views as the rocket ascended on its planned trajectory. Looking ahead, NASA’s SpaceX CRS-30 cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station is scheduled for liftoff in mid-March, although the precise launch date remains undetermined.
In preparation for future launches, SpaceX is working on converting Launch Complex 37 into a site for Starship-Super Heavy launches by 2026 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Additionally, the company is constructing large-scale Starship launch infrastructure at the pad 39A complex at Kennedy Space Center. The Space Force recently hosted public meetings to collect environmental comments regarding these endeavors.
For enthusiasts eager to follow the latest updates on space missions, including the upcoming Starlink 6-43 launch, they can visit floridatoday.com/space for updates before the launch window opens. The coverage of the space industry and Florida launches is essential, and supporting it with a subscription helps sustain quality journalism in the field.