SpaceX is poised to achieve a significant milestone on October 22, 2024, with the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket for a record-breaking 31st flight. The mission, designated Starlink 10-17, will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 11:49 a.m. EDT (15:49 UTC).
The Falcon 9 rocket, known for its reusability, will carry 28 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. This particular booster, identified as B1067, most recently completed a mission on August 28, 2025, and is set to establish a new benchmark for SpaceX.
Favorable Conditions for Launch
The 45th Weather Squadron has reported a greater than 95 percent chance of favorable weather conditions during the launch window. Meteorologists have indicated no expected weather phenomena that could interfere with the flight, reinforcing confidence in the mission’s success.
Shortly after liftoff, SpaceX plans to land the B1067 booster on its drone ship, ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas.’ This landing will mark the 129th successful booster recovery on this vessel and the 520th overall for SpaceX.
SpaceX is actively working towards certifying its Falcon boosters for up to 40 launches and landings. The Falcon 9 has predominantly served to deploy Starlink satellites, and B1067 has participated in the last seven missions supporting this satellite constellation.
Record-Breaking Turnaround Times
The previous launch from SLC-40, which involved the Starlink 10-52 mission, set a pad turnaround record. According to Kiko Dontchev, SpaceX’s Vice President of Launch, this mission achieved two notable milestones: the fastest launch-to-launch turnaround from the same American launch pad, at just 55 hours, 29 minutes, and 9 seconds, and the quickest transporter erector roll into the hangar for booster integration, completed in 12 hours, 5 minutes, and 20 seconds.
Dontchev expressed optimism on social media regarding the potential for a sub-48-hour turnaround for upcoming launches from Pad 40. He referenced the need to surpass the historical Soviet record from 1962, which saw two launches from the same pad in just 24 hours.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space travel and satellite deployment, its focus on rapid reusability and efficiency is evident. The upcoming Starlink 10-17 mission not only represents a technical achievement but also underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing global internet connectivity through its satellite network.
