SpaceX is preparing to launch another batch of Starlink satellites early Tuesday morning, marking another step in its push for a record year of orbital flights. The mission, named Starlink Group 10‑28, will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station between 1:48 a.m. ET and 6:18 a.m. ET. With favorable weather predicted, this launch keeps pace with the company’s aggressive schedule for expanding its broadband constellation.
Launch Details and Mission Profile
The Falcon 9 rocket will carry nearly 60 Starlink satellites into low‑Earth orbit. After stage separation, the first stage is slated to return for a landing on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This recovery effort not only cuts costs but also demonstrates the reusability that underpins SpaceX’s rapid cadence.
The northeastern flight path will give spectators along Florida’s Banana River and in Titusville and Port Canaveral a clear view of the ascent. Photography fans often head to the Max Brewer Bridge or Jetty Park, which lie about 11 to 14 miles downrange, to capture the glow of the booster crossing the sky.
Record‑Setting Cadence in 2025
This flight marks the 86th launch of the year for SpaceX and the 84th Falcon 9 mission, keeping the pace at roughly one launch every 2.2 days. Earlier this week on July 2, the company orbited Starlink Group 10‑25, adding 27 more satellites to the fleet. So far in 2025, SpaceX has achieved a perfect launch success rate and completed 81 booster landings, slipping only once on a landing attempt.
With these numbers, SpaceX remains on track to reach its target of 175 to 180 missions by year end. This tempo supports not only Starlink deployments but also crucial cargo resupply and crewed missions to the International Space Station later this month.
Technical Operations and Viewing Advice
Engineers have built in a flexible four‑hour window to account for potential weather or technical issues. At present, forecasts show a 90% chance of acceptable conditions. SpaceX has not yet named which booster will fly this mission, though the company typically cycles through its fleet of previously flown cores.
For anyone hoping to watch the launch live, arriving at Port Canaveral or Titusville well before the window opens is key. The booster landing burn may be visible against the early morning sky, offering a chance to witness the core’s descent back to its floating landing pad.
What This Means for Starlink and Beyond
Every Starlink launch pushes the network closer to global coverage and higher data speeds. By filling gaps in underserved areas, SpaceX aims to generate steady revenue that funds its more ambitious projects, like the next-generation Starship vehicle. The company’s ability to conduct frequent flights and reuse hardware has reshaped launch economics and internet access around the world.
Short Analysis and Personal Insights
I find it impressive how SpaceX blends routine operations with cutting‑edge technology. Launching once every few days would have been unthinkable a decade ago, yet here we are, watching boosters return and feed a global data network. Still, the pace raises questions about space traffic management and orbital debris. As the constellation grows to nearly 8,000 satellites, regulators and operators will need to coordinate closely to avoid collisions. In my view, maintaining safety should go hand in hand with speed. If SpaceX can keep up its high standard of mission success while committing to responsible orbital practices, it will continue to set the bar for private spaceflight.
Sources: Satnews
