Welcome to the FLORIDA TODAY space team’s live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX mission from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral.
After another orbit on Wednesday afternoon, SpaceX will again attempt to launch the Astra 1P/SES-24 satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. This will bring the Space Coast to 13 days without a launch. Can SpaceX break the drought this afternoon?
According to SpaceX, they are aiming for a 5:35 p.m. launch, but they have two hours and 49 minutes if necessary.
If the weather still doesn’t cooperate with SpaceX’s launch plans, there is another launch window on Friday at the same time. As of Wednesday afternoon, the 45th Weather Squadron is predicting just a 40 percent chance of fair weather.
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The communications mission jumped forward on SpaceX’s calendar after the company had to withdraw from its Starlink 10-2 mission, which experienced conflicting weather peels that led to a pre-launch abort last Friday. As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES satellite heads to SpaceX’s next pad, Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A, SpaceX can only use Space Launch Complex 40, so it decided to move that troubled Falcon 9 rocket aside.
The Astra 1P/SES-24 payload 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.
SpaceX booster lands
Update 17:44: The Falcon 9 first stage booster just landed aboard a SpaceX drone Just read the Instructions.
According to SpaceX, this marks their 250th landing of the first stage for an orbital flight.
Departure!
Update 5:35 p.m.: SpaceX just launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Astra 1P/SES-24 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX’s launch webcast begins
Update 5:25 p.m.: SpaceX’s launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, directly below the countdown clock.
The launch is scheduled in ten minutes from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX launch countdown timeline
Update 5:15 p.m.: While we wait for the 5:35pm launch, 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.
SpaceX is refueling!
Update at 5:00 p.m: SpaceX has indicated that it is refueling. It is headed for a 5:35 PM EDT start.
Brevard EOC active before SpaceX launch
Update 4:58 p.m.: Brevard EOC said it has activated its launch operations support.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy next week
Update 16:54: If the weather cooperates, the Falcon Heavy launch is set for Tuesday, June 25. The tri-core rocket launches from Pad 39A and consists of three Falcon 9 rockets. Payload: GOES-U, which is NOAA’s newest weather satellite.
Today’s SpaceX drone ship
Update 4:45 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.
SpaceX is still looking at launching the rocket today
Update 4:35 p.m.: Will SpaceX be able to launch and get out of this launch drought before the weather approaches the coast? Looks like they are still on the road at 5:35pm.
If they launch, this 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.
SpaceX is rolling out updates on your phone
Update 4:20 p.m.: Did you know you can get notifications on your phone when a SpaceX rocket is about to launch?
The FLORIDA TODAY app sends notifications right to your phone so you know when to head out to catch the start.
Even better – this local app is free!
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SpaceX will try to break its launch drought today
Update 4:05 p.m.: SpaceX is still aiming to launch the Astra 1P/SES-24 satellite at 5:35 p.m. Wind continues to blow across the Cape. When it’s sunny, the radar shows storms approaching from the Atlantic.
After this time, SpaceX has a 2 hour and 49 minute launch window in which to launch.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or X: @brookeofstars.