On May 28, 2023, at 11:04 a.m. EDT, SpaceX confirmed the successful deployment of its latest batch of Starlink V2 Mini satellites. The mission, known as Starlink 10-32, took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday morning, adding 27 new satellites into low Earth orbit. This significant launch marks SpaceX's 420th mission utilizing a flight-proven booster, showcasing the company’s commitment to enhancing global internet connectivity through its Starlink program.
Prior to the launch, the 45th Weather Squadron provided an optimistic outlook, forecasting an 85 percent chance of favorable weather conditions at the beginning of the launch window. However, meteorologists anticipated a decline in favorable conditions to 40 percent by the end of the window, mainly due to expected seasonal thunderstorms. According to the launch weather officers, “High pressure ridge across the peninsula will lead to mostly clear skies during the morning hours, but with the summer pattern beginning to take shape, conditions will deteriorate each afternoon.”
They elaborated that “showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop with heating and seabreeze initiation by midday into the afternoon hours,” which could potentially impact the mission's timeline.
SpaceX utilized the first stage booster designated as B1080 for this mission. This booster has an impressive track record, having previously supported two private astronaut missions to the International Space Station (ISS), two cargo flights to the ISS, and 12 earlier batches of Starlink satellites. The successful launch culminated in B1080's landing on the droneship named ‘Just Read the Instructions,’ marking the 122nd successful touchdown on this vessel and the 453rd booster landing overall.
As SpaceX continues to expand its Starlink satellite constellation, the company aims to provide enhanced broadband internet access to underserved regions globally. With each launch, SpaceX not only strengthens its position in the aerospace industry but also plays a pivotal role in advancing satellite internet technology. The success of the Starlink 10-32 mission further underscores SpaceX's operational efficiency and reliability in deploying satellites to low Earth orbit.
