Welcome to the FLORIDA TODAY space team’s live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX Starlink mission from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral.
It’s the first of back-to-back launch days!
Tonight, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the latest batch of Starlink Group of Six satellites. SpaceX says launch is scheduled for 10:35 p.m., but backup opportunities run until 2:31 a.m. Thursday.
While SpaceX typically launches in the earlier part of this window, the weather on the Space Coast as well as where the booster lands play a role in the timing. However, according to the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron, conditions for today’s launch window will be 95% favorable.
People near or south of the Cape will have a good view of this night launch as the rocket will travel on a southeast trajectory.
When will the Florida Rockets launch next?Is it launching today? Schedule of SpaceX, NASA and ULA rocket launches in Florida
On Thursday, SpaceX plans to launch the next batch of Starlink satellites. This launch window runs from 18:45 to 23:16 on Thursday. SpaceX has not yet confirmed this mission, however the FAA lists the mission as Starlink 6-63.
SpaceX booster lands
Update 22:43.: The booster has landed Lack of gravity.
SpaceX Departure!
Update 22:35: SpaceX just launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Webcast of SpaceX rocket launch begins
Update 10:30 p.m.: SpaceX’s launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) has begun.
The launch is scheduled in five minutes from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
We are 10 minutes away from today’s SpaceX Falcon 9 launch!
Update 22:25: T-10 minutes! If you plan to make it to the start, get out! If you have a clear sky, it will be hard to miss a bright rocket rising into the sky.
Simply look south of the Kennedy Space Center from your direction.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster
Update 22:10: A booster will land tonight Lack of gravity drone in the Atlantic Ocean. Local sonic booms will not be heard – just the rumble of the rocket for those near the cape.
SpaceX Falcon 9 refueling underway at Cape Canaveral
Update 22:02: SpaceX has confirmed that Falcon 9 refueling has begun.
This means that tonight’s Starlink mission is now locked to launch at 10:35pm without any countdown delay, otherwise the launch must be delayed.
If for some reason there is a delay, the next launch opportunity begins tomorrow night at 10:06 PM EDT.
SpaceX launch countdown timeline
Update 21:55: While we wait for word that SpaceX has begun fueling, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at SpaceX’s countdown timeline. T-minus:
- 38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for propellant load.
- 35 minutes: Rocket kerosene and the first phase of filling with liquid oxygen begins.
- 16 minutes: The second phase of filling with liquid oxygen begins.
- 7 minutes: Falcon 9 will begin engine cooling before launch.
- 1 minute: The command flight computer will begin the final pre-takeoff checks; pressurization of the fuel tank to flight pressure begins.
- 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for launch.
- 3 seconds: The engine control unit instructs the engine to start the ignition sequence.
- 0 seconds: Lift.
Brevard EOC is ready for tonight’s SpaceX launch
Update 21:45: The Brevard EOC announced that launch preparations are underway.
SpaceX spacecraft update
Update 21:40: Meanwhile, in Boca Chica, Texas, SpaceX announced it had completed a launch test for its fourth Starship flight. While an official launch date has yet to be announced, Elon Musk said on X that Starship could launch in as little as two weeks.
The team’s goal for this test flight is to pass the return.
In other Starship news, local meetings will be held June 12-13 in Brevard for FAA officials to gather comments from local residents on the proposed starship location at KSC Pad 39A.
The virtual meeting will take place on the 17thThursday for those who can’t make it in person.
Tonight’s SpaceX Falcon 9 booster
Update 9.30pm: Today’s booster is flying for the eighth time. His past missions include three other Starlink missions, ESA Euclid, CRS-30, and two Axiom Space crewed missions: Ax-2 and Ax-3.
Weather forecast for today’s SpaceX launch
Update 21:20: 45Thursday Weather Squadron is calling for 95% favorable conditions for today’s launch window.
The night launch is quite a sight and hard to miss. Watch us!
The first of subsequent SpaceX Falcon 9 launches
Update 21:10:. The SpaceX team was active. Earlier today, SpaceX launched the National Reconnaissance Office mission NROL-146 from California.
Now SpaceX is targeting a 10:35 PM EDT launch of the next batch of Starlink satellites from SLC-40. This will be Starlink Mission 6-62.
Tomorrow evening, SpaceX will launch another Starlink, Starlink 6-63, from the Space Coast. This launch window is open from 18:45 to 23:16
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or at X: @brookeofstars.