Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team’s live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40.
It’s the first of consecutive launch days!
Tonight, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the latest batch of group six Starlink satellites. SpaceX says the launch is scheduled for 10:35 p.m., but backup options run until 2:31 a.m. Thursday.
Although SpaceX typically launches in the early part of that window, the weather on the Space Coast and the booster’s landing location play a role in the timing. However, conditions for tonight’s launch window will be 95% favorable, according to the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron.
Those near or south of the Cape will have a good view of this nighttime launch, as the rocket will travel in a southeasterly orbit.
When is the next rocket launch in Florida?Is there a launch today? Upcoming rocket launch schedule from SpaceX, NASA and ULA in Florida
On Thursday, SpaceX plans to launch another batch of Starlink satellites. This start window runs from Thursday 6:45 PM to Thursday 11:16 PM. SpaceX has yet to confirm this mission, but the FAA is calling the mission Starlink 6-63.
SpaceX To take off!
Update 10:35 PM: SpaceX just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX rocket launch webcast begins
Update 10:30 PM: 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’re 10 minutes away from tonight’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch!
Update 10:25 PM: T-10 minutes! Get outside if you plan on seeing this launch! If you have clear skies, it will be hard to miss the bright rocket rising into the sky.
From your direction, simply look south of the Kennedy Space Center.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster
Update 10:10 PM: The booster will land tonight A shortage of Gravitas drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Local sonic booms will not be heard – only the rumble of the rocket for those close to the Cape.
SpaceX Falcon 9 refueling is now underway at Cape Canaveral
Update 10:02 PM: SpaceX has confirmed that refueling of the Falcon 9 has begun.
That means tonight’s Starlink mission will now launch at 10:35 PM without any delay, otherwise the launch will have to be postponed.
If there is a delay for any reason, the next launch opportunity will begin tomorrow evening at 10:06 PM EDT.
SpaceX launch countdown timeline
Update 9:55 PM: While we wait for word that SpaceX has started refueling, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at SpaceX’s countdown timeline. T-minus:
- 38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies ‘go’ for propellant payload.
- 35 minutes: Rocket kerosene loading and the first phase of liquid oxygen loading begin.
- 16 minutes: Liquid oxygen loading into the second stage begins.
- 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins to cool the engine before launch.
- 1 minute: The command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; Pressurizing the propellant tank until flight pressure begins.
- 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies ‘go’ for launch.
- 3 seconds: The engine controller commands the engine’s firing sequence to start.
- 0 seconds: To take off.
Brevard EOC ready for tonight’s SpaceX launch
Update 9:45 PM: Brevard EOC has announced that launch preparations are well underway.
SpaceX Starship update
Update 9:40 PM: Meanwhile, in Boca Chica, Texas, SpaceX has declared that it has completed the launch rehearsal for its fourth Starship flight. Although an official launch date has yet to be announced, Elon Musk stated on X that Starship could launch within two weeks.
The team’s goal for this test flight is to get through the reentry.
In other Starship news: Local meetings will be held June 12 and 13 in Brevard where FAA officials can gather comments from locals about the proposed spaceship site at KSC Pad 39A.
A virtual meeting will take place on September 17e for those who cannot be there in person.
Tonight’s SpaceX Falcon 9 booster
Update 9:30 PM: Tonight’s booster flies for the eighth time. Previous missions include three other Starlink missions, ESA Euclid, CRS-30 and two crewed missions from Axiom Space: Ax-2 and Ax-3.
SpaceX is launching weather forecasts tonight
Update 9:20 PM: The 45e Weather Squadron is calling for 95% favorable conditions for tonight’s launch window.
A night launch is a beautiful sight and hard to miss. Be sure to follow along!
The first of back-to-back SpaceX Falcon 9s launches
Update 9:10 PM:. The SpaceX team has been active. Earlier today, SpaceX launched the National Reconnaissance Office NROL-146 mission from California.
Now SpaceX is targeting 10:35 PM EDT to launch the next batch of Starlink satellites from SLC-40. This will be the Starlink 6-62 mission.
Tomorrow evening, SpaceX will launch another Starlink, Starlink 6-63, from the Space Coast. This launch window is open from 6:45 PM to 11:16 PM
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or at X: @brookeofstars.