SpaceX currently operates close to 6,500 Starlink satellites in orbit and has plans to loft thousands more. The satellites have been used to provide vital communications to hard-hit areas following natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene or in the wake of conflicts such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

SpaceX is planning to launch 23 of its Starlink satellites into space on Sunday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.The launch is scheduled for Sunday at 4:57 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 40.