SpaceX targets Thursday morning liftoff from Cape Canaveral for Starlink mission
SpaceX is aiming to launch the latest batch of Starlink satellites on Thursday from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The liftoff is set for no earlier than 6:47 a.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 14, with a launch window extending to 10:47 a.m. ET if needed. If the countdown stays on schedule, the mission will depart just before sunrise, with sunrise projected at 6:52 a.m. in Cape Canaveral.
The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to head northeast on liftoff. Officials say there should be no Space Coast sonic booms to hear, only the rumble of the rocket as it climbs. About eight minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster is expected to return to Earth and land on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
For readers hoping to follow along, live updates will be posted 90 minutes before liftoff on this page.
Why this matters: SpaceX continues to expand the Starlink constellation, advancing its goal of providing global broadband coverage. Each successful mission adds more satellites to the network, supporting higher capacity and improving service in underserved regions around the world.
What to watch:
– The exact liftoff time within the window and any weather or range constraints.
– The rocket’s northeast trajectory and any in-flight updates.
– The booster’s landing on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic.
Summary: SpaceX is scheduled to launch another batch of Starlink satellites Thursday from Cape Canaveral, with a sunrise-timed liftoff window and a post-launch booster landing on a drone ship. The mission will contribute to the ongoing expansion of Starlink’s satellite network and SpaceX’s demonstrated launch cadence, offering a hopeful glimpse of broader global connectivity in the near future.