Welcome to the FLORIDA TODAY space team’s live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX mission from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX is trying to break a rare Space Coast launch drought tonight.
The SES/Astra communications satellite will be launched into orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket that will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40. The launch target is 5:35 p.m. EDT. But the launch window will run for two hours and 49 minutes if more time is needed.
It’s the first launch since Friday 7 June – almost two weeks ago. It was a Starlink launch from Launch Complex 40.
Today’s launch attempt comes after SpaceX had to withdraw from its Starlink 10-2 mission, which experienced indirect weather peels followed on the Friday before launch – a rarity for SpaceX. As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES satellite heads to Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A, SpaceX can only use Space Launch Complex 40, so it decided to move the troubled Falcon 9 rocket aside.
This allowed SpaceX to get today’s mission – Astra 1P/SES-24 – on the pad for launch.
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Astra 1P/SES-24 is a communications satellite for the SES and Astra partnership, which are European communications organizations. The Ku-band geostationary satellite, developed by Thales Alenia Space, will provide satellite TV services for Germany, France and Spain. According to the SES website, Astra satellites have provided television and radio for Germany since 1988.
The weather forecast is not ideal for tonight. The Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 55% chance of favorable conditions during the allotted launch window. The main weather concerns are lightening, tailwinds and cumulus clouds.
If SpaceX cannot launch today, there is a backup opportunity available at the same time on Wednesday.
Falcon 9 lands on Just read the Instructions drone in the Atlantic Ocean. So no local sonic booms will be heard.
New SpaceX launch time
Update at 4:55 p.m: SpaceX has updated that it will now aim for 20:23 due to poor weather conditions.
SpaceX will also launch later in California
Update 4:46 p.m.: Not much has changed with the Cape weather, yet SpaceX has another two hour and 49 minute window in which to launch today.
The company also plans to launch 20 Starlink satellites from California later that night.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster
Update 4:35 p.m.: Today’s SpaceX booster will fly for the ninth time. Previous memorable missions include the manned Axiom-2 and Axiom-3 missions, four Starlink missions, Euclid and CRS-30.
Today’s SpaceX drone ship
Update 4:26 p.m.: Today’s Falcon 9 will land on Just read the Instructions drone in the Atlantic Ocean. The only sound expected will be the familiar rumble of the rocket.
The Falcon 9 will be flown back to Port Canaveral, where it can be seen during a brief stopover.
SpaceX will try to end the launch drought today
Update 4:15 p.m.: Welcome to another launch day!
It’s been almost two weeks since we saw the Falcon 9 launch.
45Thursday The Weather Squadron is calling for 55% favorable conditions for tonight’s launch window, which now opens at 5:38 PM EDT.
SpaceX is citing another two hour and 49 minute backup window of opportunity, which will hopefully allow this weather to move away from the Cape area.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or X: @brookeofstars.