### SpaceX Prepares for Starlink 6-69 Mission Amid Increased Launch Cadence

SpaceX is gearing up to push the limits of its Falcon 9 rocket with the launch of its Starlink 6-69 mission on Sunday, November 10. The mission will deploy 24 of its V2 Mini Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the maximum number of these satellites that can be carried on a single Falcon 9 launch to this particular shell.

This is only the second time SpaceX has attempted to launch 24 V2 Mini Starlink satellites for the Group 6 shell from Cape Canaveral; the first occasion was during the Starlink 6-39 mission in February. Subsequent missions settled at launching a maximum of 23 satellites. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:22 p.m. EST, though it may stretch to 8:28 p.m. EST toward the window's end.

Meteorologists from the 45th Weather Squadron have forecasted favorable conditions for the launch, with a 90 percent chance of optimal weather. They noted that a large high-pressure system would maintain consistent onshore flow, delivering shallow cumulus clouds and isolated showers. By late Sunday, this high pressure is expected to weaken, allowing a weak tropical trough to move into the region.

This mission will utilize the Falcon 9 first stage booster with tail number B1080, marking its 12th launch. This booster has previously supported notable missions, including four to the International Space Station and the deployment of the European Space Agency's Euclid observatory. If successful, the booster will land on the droneship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas,' marking the 84th landing on this particular droneship and the 365th booster landing overall.

The launch of these 24 Starlink satellites comes as SpaceX intensifies its launch frequency in an attempt to approach its ambitious goal of 144 missions for the year, a target it now acknowledges it will not meet. Sunday's mission marks SpaceX's third launch in four days, with plans to launch a Korean communications satellite the following Monday and two additional Starlink deliveries by week's end.

Starlink 6-69 will represent the 107th Falcon 9 launch this year from SpaceX's two launch pads in Florida and one in California. Following a recent successful launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, SpaceX received approval to increase its launch frequency to 50 missions annually from that base. However, the California Coastal Commission recently denied another request to increase permitted launches due to environmental and political concerns.

Commissioner Mike Wilson highlighted the vast reach of SpaceX's communication system, noting recent political moves by Elon Musk, SpaceX's founder. Despite the pushback, military and regulatory bodies have agreed to enhanced environmental monitoring and the creation of an interagency working group to manage the impacts of increased launches.

Looking ahead, SpaceX plans to increase its launches from California to 100 annually by 2025, underscoring the company's aggressive expansion and commitment to advancing its technologies and capabilities.