SpaceX to Launch Starlink Satellites in Predawn Mission on President's Day

The Starlink 6-103 mission will add 29 broadband internet satellites to SpaceX's growing constellation.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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SpaceX is preparing to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida early on President's Day, with liftoff scheduled for 12:34 a.m. EST (0534 UTC). The mission will deploy 29 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, continuing the expansion of SpaceX's broadband internet network. However, the launch faces challenging weather conditions, with a 20% chance of acceptable conditions during the launch window.

Why it matters

SpaceX's Starlink network is a key part of the company's efforts to provide global high-speed internet access, and this launch will add to the more than 9,600 Starlink satellites already in orbit. The launch also highlights the company's ability to maintain a rapid launch cadence, with this being the 14th Starlink launch so far in 2026.

The details

The Falcon 9 rocket set to launch the Starlink 6-103 mission will be using the B1090 first stage booster, which has flown 9 previous missions. After stage separation, the booster will target a landing on the drone ship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' in the Atlantic Ocean. Weather conditions are a concern, with the 45th Weather Squadron forecasting only a 20% chance of acceptable weather during the launch window due to the potential for severe storms in the area.

  • Liftoff is scheduled for 12:34:20 a.m. EST (0534:20 UTC) on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The players

SpaceX

An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.

Falcon 9

A reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit.

Starlink

SpaceX's satellite internet constellation that aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to locations around the world.

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What they’re saying

“As the low slides eastwards to move off the Georgia coast late tonight, south-southwest winds will increase during the day, even outside of any precipitation. Models have come into better agreement with the timing of a band of pre-frontal showers and storms, currently moving through the Florida Panhandle, reaching the Spaceport just before the opening of the primary window.”

— 45th Weather Squadron, Launch weather officers

What’s next

If the launch is successful, SpaceX will continue working to expand its Starlink network with additional satellite deployments in the coming months.

The takeaway

SpaceX's relentless launch cadence and commitment to its Starlink satellite internet project underscores the company's ambition to provide global broadband access, even in the face of challenging weather conditions that could delay this particular mission.