SpaceX is preparing for a new mission from Cape Canaveral to replenish the Globalstar satellite constellation. This launch, known as Globalstar 2R Launch 1, carries eight satellites into low Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:12 p.m. EDT at Space Launch Complex 40, following an initial delay that allowed teams extra preparation time.
The mission utilizes the Falcon 9 first stage booster B1090. This vehicle marks its 14th flight and will attempt to land at Landing Zone 40 shortly after the primary stage separation. If the landing succeeds, it will represent the fifth arrival at this specific site and the 649th booster recovery for the company. Weather forecasters estimate a 90 percent chance of favorable conditions for the launch, noting only minor risks from local cloud formations.
Globalstar currently manages its orbit infrastructure as it moves toward a potential acquisition by Amazon. The company confirmed in its August earnings report that it has suspended further updates to financial guidance while this transaction remains in progress. The deal, which aims to integrate satellite capabilities into larger networks, anticipates a final closing in 2027.
This launch coincides with a busy period for SpaceX, as a separate Falcon 9 mission is planned from Vandenberg Space Force Base within 40 minutes of this liftoff. Operations teams are coordinating these events to maintain the timeline for Globalstar, which views this satellite replacement as a necessary measure for long-term service stability. The deployment sequence for the eight satellites begins approximately 56 minutes after the rocket leaves the ground.