Get ready for liftoff! SpaceX is gearing up for another exciting Starlink mission, but the weather could be a real challenge. On Wednesday afternoon, they plan to send a Falcon 9 rocket soaring from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The mission, dubbed Starlink 6-98, is set to add 29 more Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites to the ever-growing low Earth orbit constellation. This marks the fourth Starlink launch for SpaceX in 2026.
Mark your calendars! The launch is scheduled for 1:08 p.m. EST (1808 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 40. The Falcon 9 will embark on a south-easterly trajectory as it leaves the launch pad.
Want to witness the launch? Spaceflight Now will be providing live coverage, starting approximately an hour before the scheduled liftoff.
Now, let's dive into the technical details. The Falcon 9 rocket will be using the first stage booster with tail number 1085. This booster is a seasoned veteran, with this being its 13th flight, including missions like Crew-9, Blue Ghost Mission 1, and Fram 2.
And this is the part most people miss... Approximately 8.5 minutes after launch, booster B1085 will aim to land on the SpaceX drone ship, 'A Shortfall of Gravitas.' If successful, this landing will be the 139th for the vessel and the 559th booster landing for SpaceX overall!
But here's where it gets controversial... The success of this mission hinges on the weather. What do you think? Will the weather cooperate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
