Launch Summary: Scroll down for live coverage of the Tuesday, June 4 launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40.
Night owls rejoiced as SpaceX’s midnight rocket launch was scheduled for just before 3 a.m. EDT on Wednesday. However, the launch was pushed back to 4:55am, making it an early morning launch.
The final batch of Starlink satellites, Starlink 8-9, will lift off just before 5 a.m. Wednesday morning from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. Those who witnessed this were in for a surprise – the booster’s landing was illuminated by sunlight falling from the eastern horizon.
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Against the still night sky, the Falcon 9 rocket was brighter than a Fourth of July firework as it lifted off. After dropping the second stage and payload into space, the Falcon 9 booster dove toward a drone in the Atlantic Ocean, landing eight and a half minutes later.
The money from Falcon 9 was visible for more than an hour.
The FAA confirmed the name of the mission as Starlink 8-9. As part of the Group 8 satellites, this launch traveled northeast.
Booster lands on a drone
Update at 5:03 am: The Space Coast got a good view of the first booster stage that landed over the Atlantic Ocean.
I’m taking off!
Update at 4:55am: 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
4:50 am update: The SpaceX launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is already posted above, just below the countdown clock.
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 4:45am: 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 pre-dawn sky.
Just look south of the Kennedy Space Center from your direction.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 drone ship landing
Update at 4:36am: Today’s Falcon 9 will land on Shortage of Gravitas drone in the Atlantic Ocean. The only sound expected will be the familiar rumble of the rocket.
SpaceX launch countdown timeline
4:30 am update: Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at SpaceX’s countdown timeline. T-minus:
- 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.
Refueling the SpaceX Falcon 9
4:20 am update: SpaceX is about to begin fueling the rocket. That means they have to take off at 4:55 a.m. EDT or they have to abandon the launch for the day.
SpaceX selected by NASA to launch COSI telescope
4:10 am update: Here’s some space news while we wait for liftoff.
SpaceX was selected by NASA to launch the COSI telescope atop the Falcon 9. The space telescope will observe gamma rays and peer into the mysteries behind antimatter and stars. It is not expected to launch before August 2027.
The Brevard EOC is activated prior to the SpaceX rocket launch
Update 4:00 am: Brevard EOC was active before takeoff this morning.
SpaceX launch weather forecast
Update at 15:48: SpaceX is still targeting a 4:55 a.m. EDT launch. The window lasts until 5:59 AM EDT. If SpaceX is unable to launch this morning, the next opportunity will be 12:28 EDT on Sunday, July 7.
SpaceX has not said why the launch time was moved, but radar shows the time over 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.
