SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink Mission Set for February 18

SpaceX is preparing for another major launch as it targets Tuesday, February 18, 2025, for the deployment of 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.

This mission, part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to expand its global satellite internet network, will take place from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The scheduled liftoff is set for 6:00 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities extending until 10:00 p.m. ET. If necessary, additional launch windows will be available on Wednesday, February 19, beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Live Webcast and Viewing Options

SpaceX will provide a live webcast of the launch approximately ten minutes before liftoff. The webcast will be accessible via SpaceX’s official website, its X account (@SpaceX), and the newly launched X TV app. This ensures that space enthusiasts worldwide can witness the latest Starlink deployment in real-time.

Booster’s 16th Flight and Landing Plan

This mission will mark the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this launch. The booster has previously played a crucial role in several key missions, including:

• Ax-2 (Axiom Space’s second private mission to the ISS)
• Euclid (ESA’s space telescope mission)
• Ax-3 (Axiom Space’s third ISS mission)
• CRS-30 (Commercial Resupply Mission to the ISS)
• Astra 1P (a communications satellite deployment)
• NG-21 (Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo mission)
• Nine prior Starlink launches

Following stage separation, the first stage will attempt a landing on the autonomous droneship Just Read the Instructions, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of The Bahamas. This landing method, a hallmark of SpaceX’s reusability efforts, helps reduce costs and accelerate future launches.

Potential Sonic Booms Over The Bahamas

As with previous Falcon 9 booster landings, there is a chance that residents and visitors in The Bahamas may experience one or more sonic booms. The intensity and audibility of these booms will depend on atmospheric conditions and other environmental factors at the time of the landing.

Significance of This Starlink Mission

This launch continues SpaceX’s rapid deployment of Starlink satellites, reinforcing the company’s vision of providing high-speed, low-latency internet to underserved and remote regions globally. The expansion of the Starlink constellation enhances global broadband connectivity, supporting industries such as maritime operations, aviation, and disaster response.

With each successful launch, SpaceX further refines its reusable rocket technology, reducing costs and setting new benchmarks in spaceflight efficiency. The February 18 launch is another step toward Elon Musk’s ambitious goal of a fully connected world powered by satellite internet.

Stay tuned for updates as SpaceX moves closer to another milestone in commercial spaceflight.