SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling is now underway Update 4:25 a.m.: Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at pad 39A, billowing white water vapor indicates. That means the Starlink mission countdown is locked in to lift off at 4:54 a.m. without any delays, or else the predawn launch must be postponed to a later date. SpaceX to launch 29 satellites on Falcon 9 Update 4:15 a.m.: SpaceX has yet to publicly comment on today's Starlink payload, but it appears to be a batch of 29 V2 Mini Optimized satellites. In a progress report released in January, the company said these next-generation satellites feature upgraded avionics, propulsion and power systems. Up to 29 of these new optimized satellites can be deployed per Falcon 9 launch, compared with 23 original V2 Mini satellites. The latter were introduced in 2023. "The V2 Mini Optimized satellites weigh approximately 575 kilograms (1,267 pounds) at launch, nearly 22% lighter than the original V2 Mini satellites, allowing Falcon to launch more network capacity to orbit per launch," the report said. SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard Update 4 a.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch. Starlink launch to be 38th of year from Space Coast Update 3:45 a.m.: SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 launch will clock in as the 38th orbital rocket launch thus far during 2025 from KSC and adjacent Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.