SpaceX is back in action with a Falcon 9 launch, marking a return to its regular flight schedule after a brief pause. This mission, Starlink 17-33, is all about adding more satellites to SpaceX's impressive megaconstellation in low Earth orbit. With over 9,600 satellites already in orbit, according to expert tracker Jonathan McDowell, SpaceX is set to expand its network further.
The launch is scheduled for February 7th, with a precise liftoff time of 12:41:41 p.m. PST. The Falcon 9 rocket will embark on a south-southwesterly trajectory from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage, ensuring you don't miss a beat.
But here's where it gets interesting: this mission utilizes the Falcon 9 first stage booster, B1088, for its 13th flight. It's been busy, having previously launched missions like SPHEREx and Transporter-12 for NASA, as well as satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office. And get this, if the landing on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' is successful, it will be SpaceX's 176th landing on this vessel and their 568th booster landing overall!
SpaceX's return to its typical launch pace follows a rare quiet period and some mission delays. Originally, the plan was to launch the Starlink 6-103 mission just days after Starlink 17-32, but an in-flight anomaly after payload deployment changed everything. SpaceX's statement on the matter was clear: "The vehicle then performed as designed to successfully passivate the stage."
During this time, SpaceX rolled back the satellites for the Starlink 6-103 mission and prepared for the upcoming Crew-12 launch. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later closed its investigation into the mishap, allowing SpaceX to resume licensed flights. The FAA's statement cited the probable cause as the failure of the Falcon 9 stage 2 engine to ignite prior to the deorbit burn, but SpaceX has implemented measures to prevent a recurrence.
And this is the part most people miss: NASA's involvement. NASA evaluated the findings from SpaceX's review and determined that the issue with the Falcon 9 second stage during deorbit burn preparations posed no increased risk to crew safety during ascent for their crewed missions. So, SpaceX and NASA are all systems go for Crew-12 to launch to the International Space Station.
So, what do you think? Is SpaceX's rapid expansion of its satellite network a cause for celebration or concern? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
