SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket for Record 31st Flight on Sunday

SpaceX is set to achieve a significant milestone on October 22, 2024, when it launches a Falcon 9 rocket for a record-breaking 31st time. The mission, known as Starlink 10-17, is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 11:49 a.m. EDT (1549 UTC). This launch underscores SpaceX’s commitment to reusability and innovation in space exploration.

The Falcon 9 booster, designated B1067, will undertake this historic flight. It previously flew on August 28, 2025, during the Starlink 10-11 mission. With this launch, B1067 will set a new record for the most flights by a single Falcon 9 booster, demonstrating SpaceX’s ability to maximize the lifespan of its rockets.

According to the 45th Weather Squadron, the forecast for the launch window shows over a 95 percent chance of favorable weather. Meteorologists have indicated that no significant weather events are expected to disrupt the mission.

SpaceX plans to land the B1067 booster approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff on its drone ship, A Shortfall of Gravitas. This landing will mark the 129th successful booster recovery on this platform and the 520th overall for SpaceX, further solidifying the company’s position as a leader in spaceflight.

Advancements in Rocket Reusability

The Falcon 9 rocket has consistently played a critical role in launching SpaceX’s own Starlink satellites. The upcoming Starlink 10-17 mission will deploy an additional 28 satellites into low Earth orbit, contributing to the network’s growing capabilities. Notably, the last seven flights of B1067 have all supported Starlink missions, illustrating the rocket’s integral role in expanding global internet access.

Kiko Dontchev, SpaceX’s Vice President of Launch, highlighted the efficiency of the company’s operations, stating that the previous launch from Space Launch Complex 40 marked several records. These include the fastest turnaround from launch to launch from a single American launch pad at just 55 hours, 29 minutes, and 9 seconds, and the quickest transporter erector roll into the hangar for booster integration at 12 hours, 5 minutes, and 20 seconds.

“I’m confident the SpaceX Falcon team will pull off a sub 48-hour launch to launch turn from Pad 40 this year,” Dontchev noted on social media. He also referenced the historical context, mentioning the Soviet record set in 1962 with the Vostok 3 and Vostok 4 missions, which launched from the same pad within 24 hours.

As SpaceX continues to innovate and push the boundaries of rocket reusability, the upcoming launch not only symbolizes a technological achievement but also reinforces the company’s goal to make space travel more sustainable and cost-effective. The Falcon 9’s record-setting flight will be closely monitored by space enthusiasts and industry experts alike, marking another chapter in the ongoing evolution of commercial spaceflight.