In the final launches of the year, SpaceX is preparing to send a U.S. military spaceplane and a round of Starlink internet satellites into orbit. The spaceplane, known as X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, will be launched atop a Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center's launchpad 39A. The launch window is scheduled to open at 8:07 p.m. EST on Thursday night.

The X-37B spaceplane, built by Boeing, has a remarkable track record for time spent in orbit. Having completed six missions since its first launch in 2010, the X-37B has logged an impressive total of 3,774 days in space. Its last mission concluded in November 2022 after more than 900 days in orbit, conducting experiments for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.

This seventh mission, designated as OTV-7 and USSF-52, will carry a combination of unclassified and classified experiments, including a NASA experiment called Seeds-2. The aim of Seeds-2 is to study the effects of radiation on plant seeds during long-duration spaceflight.

The launch of the X-37B spaceplane had faced several weather and technical delays earlier this month. However, with an 80% chance of favorable launch weather predicted by forecasters from the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron, the conditions appear to be more promising. Though the cold front pushing across Florida may bring cumulus clouds, the rain is expected to clear out before the launch on Thursday night.

Following the Falcon Heavy launch, SpaceX plans to launch a fresh batch of Starlink internet satellites from Space Launch Complex 40. The launch window for the Starlink mission opens at 11 p.m. on Thursday and will provide global coverage for internet connectivity.

This will be the fifth Falcon Heavy launch of 2023, demonstrating the immense power of the rocket with its three Falcon boosters and 27 Merlin engines. Additionally, it will mark the fifth launch and landing of the Falcon Heavy side boosters, with their anticipated return to Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

If unforeseen circumstances delay the launch until Friday night, the forecast improves to 95% favorable, albeit with concerns about liftoff winds. In either case, SpaceX remains committed to delivering successful missions before the year comes to a close.

As the final launch of 2023 approaches, SpaceX has additional plans to launch more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The target launch date for this West Coast mission is Saturday night, marking a busy period for the pioneering aerospace company.

With these exciting launches, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and satellite deployment, further solidifying its position as a leading player in the aerospace industry as we move into the new year.