Run recap: Scroll down for live coverage of the Tuesday, June 4 launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40.
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Night owls rejoiced as the SpaceX rocket was scheduled to launch at 3 a.m. EDT Wednesday. However, the start was pushed back to 4:55, making it an early morning start.
The latest batch of Starlink satellites, Starlink 8-9, will lift off before 5:00 a.m. Wednesday from Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex. Those who witnessed it were in for a surprise – the booster’s landing was illuminated by solar radiation peaking from the eastern horizon. .
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Against the still night sky, the Falcon 9 rocket was brighter than Fourth of July fireworks at launch. After dropping the second stage and cargo into space, the Falcon 9 booster dived down to the drone in the Atlantic Ocean and landed eight and a half minutes later.
Steam from Falcon 9 was visible for over an hour.
The FAA confirmed the mission name as Starlink 8-9. This launch, which is part of the Group 8 satellites, flew to the northeast.
Booster lands on the drone
Update 5:03: The Space Coast had a good view of the first booster stage landing over the Atlantic Ocean.
Departure!
Update 4:55: 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 4:50: SpaceX’s launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, directly below the countdown clock.
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 4:45: T-10 minutes! If you plan to catch this start, get out! If you have clear skies, it will be hard to miss a bright rocket rising into the pre-dawn sky.
Simply look south of the Kennedy Space Center from your direction.
SpaceX Falcon 9 unmanned spacecraft landing
Update 4:36: Today’s Falcon 9 will land on Lack of gravity drone in the Atlantic Ocean. The only sound expected will be the familiar rumble of the rocket.
SpaceX launch countdown timeline
Update 4:30: 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 Falcon 9 fuel
Update 4:20: SpaceX is about to begin refueling the rocket. That means they are set to start at 4:55 a.m. EDT, or they have to forgo starting for the day.
SpaceX has been selected by NASA to launch the COSI telescope
Update 4:10: Here’s some space news as we wait for launch.
SpaceX has been selected by NASA to launch the COSI telescope atop the Falcon 9. The space telescope will observe gamma rays and peer into the secrets of antimatter and stars. It is not expected to launch before August 2027.
Brevard EOC activates ahead of SpaceX rocket launch
Update at 4am: Brevard EOC was active prior to this morning’s launch.
SpaceX launch weather outlook
Update 3:48 p.m.: SpaceX is still targeting a 4:55 a.m. EDT launch. The window runs until 5:59 a.m. EDT. If SpaceX can’t launch this morning, the next opportunity will be Sunday, July 7 at 12:28 p.m. EDT.
SpaceX did not say why the launch time was moved, but radar shows the weather above the launch path and the booster landing site.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or at X: @brookeofstars.