Falcon 9 Ignites the Sky: SpaceX’s Stellar Mission to Deploy 21 New Starlink Satellites from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX is maintaining its rhythm of launching and orbital endeavors at an average of every two days with the upcoming Falcon 9 flight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Launch of the Starlink 12-12 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) is scheduled for 11:21 a.m. EST (1621 UTC) on Friday. This will constitute SpaceX’s fifth Falcon 9 launch of 2025.

Spaceflight Now will commence live coverage approximately one hour prior to the launch.

In its forecast released on Thursday, the 45th Weather Squadron anticipated a higher than 95 percent likelihood of favorable conditions at launch, mentioning there are no weather restrictions.

The Falcon 9 first stage booster designated for this mission, tail number B1067 in the SpaceX armada, will undertake a record-setting 25th launch and landing attempt. Previously, it has supported four missions to the International Space Station, the Galileo L13 mission for the European Commission, and 13 prior batches of Starlink satellites.

Shortly after eight minutes post-liftoff, B1067 intends to land on the SpaceX droneship, ‘Just Read the Instructions.’ If the landing is successful, it will represent the 106th booster landing on JRTI and the 395th booster landing overall.

Among the 21 Starlink satellites aboard the Falcon 9 rocket, there are 13 equipped with Direct to Cell capabilities. Although the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has not approved full operation of the DTC service, it granted emergency usage once again on Thursday for those affected by the wildfires in the surrounding Los Angeles area.

Earlier in the day, SpaceX declared it would be offering a month of complimentary Starlink service to those affected by the fires. It also dispatched free kits to agencies, organizations, and shelters aiding in the response to the devastating and lethal fires.

For individuals in the Los Angeles region, the @Starlink team and @TMobile have activated basic texting (SMS) through our Direct to Cell satellites. You can now message loved ones, text 911, and receive crucial emergency alerts.

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 10, 2025