Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team’s live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX mission from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40.
SpaceX wants to break the Space Coast’s rare launch drought tonight.
An SES/Astra communications satellite will be launched into orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket, taking off from Space Launch Complex 40. The launch is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. EDT. But the launch window lasts two hours and 49 minutes if more time is needed.
It is the first launch since Friday June 7, almost two weeks ago. That was a Starlink launch from Launch Complex 40.
Tonight’s launch attempt comes after SpaceX was forced to withdraw from its Starlink 10-2 mission, which involved back-to-back weather scrubs, followed by an aborted pre-launch on Friday – a rarity for SpaceX. With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES U satellite heading to Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A, SpaceX can only use Space Launch Complex 40, which is why SpaceX has opted to shelve the troubled Falcon 9 rocket to shove.
This allowed SpaceX to bring today’s mission – Astra 1P/SES-24 – to the pad for launch.
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Astra 1P/SES-24 is a communications satellite for an SES and Astra partnership, European communications organizations. The geostationary Ku-band satellite, developed by Thales Alenia Space, will provide satellite television services for Germany, France and Spain. According to the SES website, Astra satellites have been providing television and radio for Germany since 1988.
The weather forecast is not ideal for tonight’s launch. The Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 55% chance of favorable conditions during the assigned launch window. The main weather problems are lightning, rising winds and cumulus clouds.
If SpaceX is unable to launch today, a backup option will be available at the same time on Wednesday.
The Falcon 9 will land on the Just read the instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, no local sonic booms will be heard.
SpaceX new launch time
Updated 4:55 PM: SpaceX updated that they will now target 8:23 PM with the poor weather conditions.
SpaceX will also launch in California later
Update 4:46 PM: Not much has changed with the weather at the Cape, but SpaceX still has an additional two hours and 49 minutes window in which they can launch today.
The company also plans to launch 20 Starlink satellites from California later tonight.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster
Update 4:35 PM: Today’s SpaceX booster flies for the ninth time. Previous memorable missions include the crewed Axiom-2 and Axiom-3 missions, four Starlink missions, Euclid and CRS-30.
Tonight the SpaceX Droneship
Update 4:26 PM: Today’s Falcon 9 will land at the Just read the instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The only expected sound is the familiar rumble of the rocket.
The Falcon 9 is returned by ferry to Port Canaveral where it can be viewed during a short stop period.
SpaceX will try to end the launch drought today
Update 4:15 PM: Welcome to another launch day!
It’s been almost two weeks since we saw a Falcon 9 explode.
The 45e Weather Squadron is calling for 55% favorable conditions for tonight’s launch window, which now begins at 5:38 PM EDT.
SpaceX is offering an additional two hours and 49 minutes of backup capabilities, which will hopefully eliminate this from the Cape area again.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or at X: @brookeofstars.