Welcome to the FLORIDA TODAY space team’s live coverage of this morning’s SpaceX Starlink mission from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral.
Tonight, SpaceX plans to kick off the weekend with a double launch.
The Falcon 9 rocket will launch the next batch of Starlink Internet satellites – Starlink 6-64 – into orbit. SpaceX now says it is targeting a launch time of 10:37 PM EDTwhich is the end of the launch window.
When will the Florida Rockets launch next?Is it launching today? SpaceX, NASA and ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida
The rocket will take off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral and fly on a southeast trajectory.
According to the 45th Meteorological Squadron, the weather is forecast to be 90% favorable ahead of tonight’s launch.
If SpaceX is unable to launch tonight, there is a backup window on Saturday night beginning at 7:08 PM EDT.
Tonight’s launch is followed by a manned flight test of the Boeing Starliner, scheduled to take off Saturday, June 1 at 12:25 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update at 10:45 p.m.: Booster landed on Lack of gravity drone ship.
SpaceX Departure!
Update 22:37: SpaceX just launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX’s launch webcast begins
Update 22:32: 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 22:27: T-10 minutes! If you plan to catch this start, get out! If you have a clear sky, it will be hard to miss a bright rocket rising into the night sky.
Simply look south of the Kennedy Space Center from your direction. The rocket will follow a southeast trajectory.
SpaceX is headed for launch!
Update 22:03.: SpaceX has begun refueling ahead of tonight’s launch.
Falcon 9 must lift off now or the mission will be scrubbed for the day.
SpaceX Countdown
Update at 10:00 p.m: While we wait for today’s launch to fill up, let’s take a look at what we can expect.
- 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.
SpaceX rocket launch backup option
Update 21:42: If SpaceX is unable to launch tonight, a backup window will open tomorrow, June 1, starting at 7:08 PM EDT.
Currently, SpaceX is still hoping to launch tonight.
New SpaceX launch time
Update 21:29.: SpaceX is now headed for the end of the launch window at 10:37 PM EDT.
Brevard EOC is ready for tonight’s SpaceX launch
Update 21:23: Brevard EOC has begun preparations ahead of tonight’s launch.
SpaceX confirms that wind may be the problem
Update 21:15: SpaceX is watching the wind ahead of tonight’s launch.
The FLORIDA TODAY space team will keep you updated as we get closer to launch!
Falcon 9 historic anniversary
Update 21:08: Believe it or not, yesterday marked four years since the Falcon 9 launched its Demo-2 mission. This mission was the first mission to launch astronauts from American soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle.
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were the first astronauts to ride aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon on this test flight that certified the Dragon for carrying NASA crews.
Sound familiar? The Boeing Starliner has a crewed test flight tomorrow.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 booster has already flown 13 times
Update 20:54: The booster used for this launch will experience its fourteenth flight. In addition to seven other Starlink missions, this Falcon 9 carried CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, Ob3 mPOWER, Ovzon 3 and EUTELSAT 36D.
Lands on the drone Lack Gravitationso local sonic booms are not expected.
SpaceX’s launch time has moved to a later window
Update 20:42: The launch is normally set for 19:47, SpaceX moved that start back to 10:11 PM EDT.
It’s been a windy night here on the Space Coast, but the sky remains clear as we head into a beautiful twilight.
Be sure to follow FLORIDA TODAY’s space team at floridatoday.com/space for the latest updates from the Space Coast.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or X: @brookeofstars.