On March 16, 2024, SpaceX will conduct its latest mission to enhance global broadband connectivity by launching 24 Starlink satellites from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission, designated Starlink 17-10, marks a significant step in expanding the company’s constellation of low Earth orbit satellites.
The launch is scheduled for 8:41 a.m. PDT (11:41 a.m. EDT / 15:41 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 4 East. Following this launch, SpaceX will have successfully deployed more than 8,400 satellites into low Earth orbit, according to orbital tracker Jonathan McDowell.
Mission Overview and Launch Details
Utilizing its second-most flown Falcon 9 first stage booster, designated B1071, SpaceX will initiate the launch. This booster has completed 28 flights to date, which include previous missions for Starlink and other payloads. The mission will consist of deploying the satellites approximately nine minutes after liftoff.
After delivering the satellites into orbit, SpaceX will attempt to recover the B1071 booster by landing it on its drone ship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You’. If successful, this recovery would mark the 151st successful mission for this drone ship and the 504th booster landing in SpaceX history.
Live Coverage and Context
For those interested in following the event, Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled launch time. This mission represents SpaceX’s 42nd launch from California in 2024, highlighting the company’s ongoing commitment to expanding its satellite network and enhancing internet access globally.
As SpaceX continues to innovate and push the boundaries of space technology, each launch contributes to the broader goal of bringing high-speed internet services to underserved regions around the world, further solidifying its role as a leader in the aerospace industry.
