SpaceX plans back-to-back Falcon 9 launches for Starlink satellites

SpaceX is gearing up for back-to-back Falcon 9 launches of Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit this week. The company is all set to launch a total of 43 Starlink satellites from two different launch sites - Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The first launch is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16, from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral. At 8:14 p.m. ET (00:14 UTC on August 17), a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites will launch into low-Earth orbit. This launch marks the 13th flight of the first stage booster, which previously supported a diverse array of missions, including CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, mPOWER-a, PSN SATRIA, and four Starlink missions.

The first stage will execute a planned landing on the "A Shortfall of Gravitas" droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Further, SpaceX has another Falcon 9 launch scheduled for Thursday, August 17, at 12:01 a.m. PT (7:01 UTC). This launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The payload for this mission comprises 21 Starlink satellites destined for low-Earth orbit.

The first stage booster supporting this launch will mark its 15th flight. Among its previous missions, this booster has successfully carried Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, and five Starlink missions. Following separation, the first stage will return to Earth, touching down on the "Of Course I Still Love You" droneship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Targeting back-to-back Falcon 9 launches of @Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from both Florida and California starting on Wednesday, August 16 → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK pic.twitter.com/e2JfiqwNFt

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 16, 2023