SpaceX Falcon 9 set to launch 22 Starlink satellites today, March 29

Starlink 7-18 liftoff has been rescheduled for Friday, March 29, at 7:30pm PT
The image shows SpaceX Falcon 9 launching Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida on March 26 2024. — X/@SpaceX
The image shows SpaceX Falcon 9 launching Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida on March 26 2024. — X/@SpaceX

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, known for its reliability and versatility, was scheduled to launch 22 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base. However, the mission, dubbed Starlink 7-18, faced a delay, with liftoff now rescheduled for Friday, March 29, at 7:30pm PT. Despite the postponement, no specific reason was provided for the setback.

This launch marks the 15th flight for the first stage booster, B1071, in SpaceX’s FLEET. B1071 has previously supported missions for the National Reconnaissance Office, NASA’s SWOT payload, and two SmallSat Transporter rideshare missions.

The booster is expected to land on the SpaceX droneship "Of Course I Still Love You", about eight minutes after liftoff. If successful, it will mark the 87th landing on OCISLY and the 289th booster landing overall.

Following liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E), SpaceX will deploy the Starlink satellites approximately an hour later. This mission will be SpaceX’s 20th Starlink flight in 2024, bringing the total number of Starlinks launched to over 6,100.

According to Space.com, Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer and expert tracker, reports that there are currently 5,680 Starlink satellites in orbit.