A potentially record-breaking day ahead for most rockets launched in 24-hours

A potentially record-breaking day ahead for most rockets launched in 24-hours

February 4, 2025 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Business

Spaceflight Bonanza: A Record-Breaking Five Rocket Launches in 24 Hours

Get ready for an out-of-this-world spectacle! Today, February 4, marks a momentous day in spaceflight history with not one, not two, but a record-breaking five rocket launches planned over the next 24 hours. From dawn till dusk, space enthusiasts around the world will be treated to a हिन्दीisé of launches by heavy hitters like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and the Russian space agency, Roscosmos.

Kickstarting the Day: SpaceX’s Starlink Mission

Set your alarm for the wee hours, because SpaceX is scheduled to launch a batch of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 3:37 AM EST (0837 GMT). This launch will see the deployment of Starlink 12-3 into low-Earth orbit, joining the growing network that aims to bring global internet connectivity.-right? You can catch all the action live on SpaceX’s X profile, with coverage beginning around five minutes before liftoff.

Mid-Morning Booster: Blue Origin’s New Shepard Mission

After a short break, Blue Origin will follow suit with the launch of its suborbital New Shepard rocket on the NS-29 uncrewed research mission. Scheduled for 11:00 AM EST (1600 GMT), this mission will carry 30 science payloads that will experience about two minutes of simulated moon gravity. You can stream this mission on Space.com and Blue Origin’s YouTube page.

Afternoon Flight: Rocket Lab’s IoT Mission

Next up, Rocket Lab will launch an Electron rocket from its New Zealand Launch Complex 1, carrying five satellites for the French company Kinéis’ IoT constellation. The "IoT 4 You and Me" mission is set for 3:43 PM EST (2043 GMT, 11:43 AM local New Zealand time) and will be streamed live on Space.com.

Evening Launch: SpaceX’sFalcon 9 Mission

As the sun sets, SpaceX plans to launch a second mission of the day. This time, Maxar Technology’s WorldView Legion Earth-observation satellites are the cargo on a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The launch is slated for 6:07 PM EST (2307 GMT), with a livestream available on SpaceX’s X page.

Night Flight: Roscosmos’ Mystery Mission

Rounding out this action-packed day, Roscosmos has a late-night launch scheduled at 10 PM EST (0300 GMT on Feb. 5) from its Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia. The classified payload will launch on a Soyuz 2.1V/Volga rocket, adding a dash of mystery to an already incredible day.

While all these launches are thrilling, remember that weather and technical issues can sometimes lead to delays or scrubs. So, keep your eyes on the skies and your fingers crossed for a smooth day of spaceflight!