SpaceX is gearing up to launch its largest batch of second-generation Starlink satellites to date on Saturday. The company has loaded a total of 24 Starlink V2 Mini satellites onto its Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff for the Starlink 6-39 mission is scheduled for 6:41 p.m. EST (2341 UTC).

This mission marks the 11th dedicated Starlink launch in 2024, featuring one more second-generation Starlink satellite than previous flights. It remains unknown how SpaceX achieved this additional capacity, whether through modifications to the Falcon 9 vehicle or adjustments to the flight profile.

After liftoff, the Falcon 9 first stage booster, tail number 1069, is set to land on the SpaceX droneship, 'A Shortfall of Gravitas.' The deployment of the Starlink satellites from the Falcon 9 upper stage is projected to occur approximately an hour after liftoff, bringing the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 5,896.

The mission follows an exciting new partnership between SpaceX and The Bahamas, established through a Letter of Agreement (LOA). The agreement enables SpaceX to land its Falcon 9 rockets on an autonomous droneship in Bahamian waters, providing exclusive visibility of rocket landings that could make The Bahamas a unique destination for such events.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation in The Bahamas expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the potential for economic growth, job creation, enhanced educational opportunities, and improved connectivity for schools and first responders.

The new landing zone east of The Bahamas will allow SpaceX to optimize trajectories for launches into southerly orbits, reducing 'dog leg' maneuvers and enhancing the performance for carrying more Starlink satellites. Additionally, the mission's first stage booster is expected to land in a location previously used for this specific group of Starlink satellites.