Welcome to the FLORIDA TODAY space team’s live coverage of SpaceX’s Starlink mission this morning from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX plans to kick off a double launch weekend tonight.
A Falcon 9 rocket will carry the next batch of Starlink Internet satellites into orbit – Starlink 6-64. SpaceX now says they are targeting a liftoff time of 10:37 PM EDTwhich is the end of the launch window.
When is the next rocket launch in Florida?Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida
The rocket will take off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral and travel on a southeast trajectory.
According to the 45th Weather Squadron, the weather is expected to be 90% favorable before tonight’s launch.
If SpaceX is unable to launch tonight, there is a backup window on Saturday night starting at 7:08 PM EDT.
Tonight’s launch will be followed by the crewed flight test of Boeing’s Starliner, scheduled to take off at 12:25 p.m. EDT Saturday, June 1 from Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update at 10:45 p.m.: The booster has landed on Shortage of Gravitas unmanned ship.
SpaceX I’m taking off!
Update at 22:37: SpaceX just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX launch webcast begins
Update at 10:32 p.m.: Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from the Space Force Station at Cape Canaveral.
We’re 10 minutes away from tonight’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch!
Update 22:27: T-10 minutes! Get outside if you plan to catch this launch! If you have a clear sky, it will be hard to miss the bright rocket rising into the night sky.
Just look south of the Kennedy Space Center from your direction. The missile will follow a southeast trajectory.
SpaceX is headed for launch!
Update at 10:03 p.m.: SpaceX has begun fueling ahead of tonight’s launch.
Falcon 9 must now lift off or the mission will be cleared for the day.
SpaceX Countdown
Update 10:00 p.m: While we wait for tonight’s launch power, let’s take a look at what to expect.
- 38 minutes: SpaceX’s launch director checks “go” for fuel loading.
- 35 minutes: First stage loading of rocket kerosene and liquid oxygen begins.
- 16 minutes: Secondary liquid oxygen refueling begins.
- 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch.
- 1 minute: The command flight computer begins final pre-launch checks; pressurization of the fuel tank to flight pressure begins.
- 45 seconds: SpaceX’s launch director confirms “launch” for launch.
- 3 seconds: The engine controller commands the engine firing sequence to begin.
- 0 seconds: I’m taking off.
Backup SpaceX rocket launch capabilities
Update at 21:42: If SpaceX is unable to launch tonight, a backup window opens tomorrow, June 1, beginning at 7:08 PM EDT.
As of now, SpaceX is still hoping to launch tonight.
New SpaceX launch time
Update at 21:29.: SpaceX is now heading toward the end of the launch window at 10:37 PM EDT.
Brevard EOC is ready for tonight’s SpaceX launch
Update at 21:23: The Brevard EOC has begun preparations ahead of tonight’s kickoff.
SpaceX confirms that wind may be an issue
Update at 21:15: SpaceX is monitoring the wind ahead of tonight’s launch.
FLORIDA TODAY’s space team will keep you updated as we get closer to launch time!
Falcon 9 historic anniversary
Update at 21:08: Believe it or not, yesterday marked four years since the Falcon 9 launched the 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 to carry NASA crews.
Sound familiar? The Boeing Starliner has its crewed test flight tomorrow.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster has flown 13 times before
Update at 20:54: The booster used for this launch will make 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.
It will land on the drone Shortage of Gravitasso local sound booms are not expected.
SpaceX’s launch time has been pushed later in the window
Update at 20:42: Normally the launch is at 19:47, SpaceX delayed that launch until 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 dusk.
Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY 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 at X: @brookeofstars.