Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team’s live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX mission from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40.
After another scrub on Wednesday afternoon, SpaceX will once again attempt to launch the Astra 1P/SES-24 satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. This brings the Space Coast to 13 days without a launch. Can SpaceX break the drought this afternoon?
According to SpaceX, they are targeting a 5:35 p.m. launch, but have a two-hour, 49-minute window if necessary.
If the weather still doesn’t cooperate with SpaceX’s launch plans, there is another available launch window at the same time on Friday. As of Wednesday afternoon, the 45th Weather Squadron is predicting only a 40 percent chance of favorable weather.
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This communications mission jumped ahead of SpaceX’s agenda after the company had to withdraw from its Starlink 10-2 mission, which saw back-to-back weather scrubs followed by a pre-launch aborted last Friday. With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES U satellite heading to SpaceX’s other platform, Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A, SpaceX can only use Space Launch Complex 40, which is why it has opted to ditch that troubled Falcon 9 rocket aside.
The Astra 1P/SES-24 payload 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.
SpaceX is refueling!
Updated 5 p.m: SpaceX has indicated that they are refueling. They are targeting a launch at 5:35 PM EDT.
Brevard EOC active prior to SpaceX launch
Update 4:58 PM: The Brevard EOC has indicated that they have activated their support for launch operations.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy next week
Update 4:54 PM: If the weather cooperates, a Falcon Heavy launch is planned for Tuesday, June 25. The triple-core rocket, launched from Pad 39A, consists of three Falcon 9 rockets. The payload: GOES-U, NOAA’s newest weather satellite.
Tonight the SpaceX Droneship
Update 4:45 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.
SpaceX is still eyeing a rocket launch today
Update 4:35 PM: Will SpaceX be able to break out of this launch drought before the weather approaches the coast? Looks like they’re still on schedule for 5:35 p.m.
If they launch, this SpaceX booster will fly for the ninth time. Previous memorable missions include the crewed Axiom-2 and Axiom-3 missions, four Starlink missions, Euclid and CRS-30.
SpaceX launches updates on your phone
Update 4:20 PM: Did you know you can receive alerts to your phone when a SpaceX rocket is about to take off?
The FLORIDA TODAY app sends push notifications straight to your phone so you know when to get out and attend the launch.
Even better: this local app is free!
Embedded content: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2024/05/01/app-space-spacex-ula-nasa-boeing-launch-live-florida-rocket-updates-liftoff -starlink-cape-canaveral/73383784007/
SpaceX is trying to break the launch drought today
Update 4:05 PM: SpaceX is still targeting a 5:35 p.m. launch of the Astra 1P/SES-24 satellite. The wind continues to blow through the Cape area. While it is sunny, the radar shows storms approaching from the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX has a launch window of two hours and 49 minutes after this time in which they can launch.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or at X: @brookeofstars.