Get ready for the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket this afternoon from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team’s live coverage of the SpaceX Starlink 6-56 mission at 2:42 PM EST from Pad 39A. The original launch target was 11 a.m., but the company announced three delays, delaying the launch until the end of today’s window.
Falcon 9 will deploy a constellation of Starlink internet satellites, positioned within the fascia atop the 230-foot-tall rocket.
Expect 90% odds of favorable weather, according to the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron, with a slight concern for sea breeze-fueled cumulus clouds and a moderate risk of damaging solar activity.
No sonic booms are expected in Central Florida on this mission. After climbing skyward along a southeast trajectory, the rocket’s first stage booster will aim to land on a SpaceX drone ship at sea about 8 1/2 minutes after liftoff.
When SpaceX’s live webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) becomes available approximately five minutes before liftoff, it will be posted below the countdown clock.
Cape Canaveral:Is there a launch today? SpaceX, NASA, and ULA’s upcoming rocket launch schedule in Florida
SpaceX is preparing for its second launch in two days at the Cape
Update at 1 p.m.: SpaceX’s latest launch from Florida’s Space Coast occurred less than 48 hours ago.
Just as the Falcon 9 rocket is programmed today, this rocket propelled 23 broadband satellites into low Earth orbit on a southeast trajectory.
SpaceX will launch a second rocket later today
Updated at 12:30 pm: SpaceX crews are scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket tonight from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The 10:48 p.m. EDT mission will lift 20 Starlink satellites — including 13 with direct cell communication capabilities — into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East.
SpaceX postpones launch for third time
Update 11:56 AM: SpaceX announced a third delay, pushing back today’s liftoff attempt to the end of the launch window at 2:42 p.m.
If necessary, more launch opportunities are available on Thursday starting at 10:16 a.m
The launch takes place amid summer weather
Update 11:45 am: The National Weather Service is forecasting sunny skies, a high around 86 degrees, and southeast winds of 10 to 15 mph this afternoon at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Station. Wind speeds may reach 20 mph.
Today through Friday will bring the warmest weather East Central Florida has seen this year — with record high temperatures expected, the tweet said.
SpaceX announces another launch delay
Update 11:18 am: Another delay: SpaceX is now targeting 2:10pm for today’s launch.
Preparing for a SpaceX launch in Brevard
Updated at 11 am: Although today’s launch target was delayed, Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency’s launch support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
The launch will take place just north of the Starliner pad
Update 10:35 am: The SpaceX Starlink mission will lift off today from pad KSC 39A within walking distance of nearby Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
This is where the United Launch Alliance Atlas V will be launched NASA astronauts Sonny Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station during the inaugural crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
After Monday’s scrub, the historic Starliner launch will now take place no later than 6:16pm on May 17.
SpaceX postpones launch to 1:34 p.m
Updated 10:05 AM: We have a two and a half hour launch delay. SpaceX just announced its new target liftoff time of 1:34 p.m
The company has not publicly stated the reason for the delay.
SpaceX launch countdown schedule
Update 9:50 am: Below is a list of major upcoming countdown events for SpaceX. T minus:
- 38 minutes: SpaceX’s launch director checks the “launch” of propellant loading.
- 35 minutes: The loading of rocket kerosene and the first stage of liquid oxygen begins.
- 16 minutes: The second stage of liquid oxygen loading begins.
- 7 minutes: The Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch.
- 1 minute: The flight command computer begins final pre-launch checks; The fuel tank pressure starts until it reaches cruising pressure.
- 45 seconds: SpaceX’s launch director checks the “go” for the launch.
- 3 seconds: The engine control module controls the start of the engine ignition sequence.
- 0 seconds: Leaves.
Space Force: Weather is 90% ready for launch
Update 9:29 AM: Additional details from the 45th Weather Squadron’s SpaceX Starlink 6-56 forecast:
“The axis of high pressure is now located across central Florida and will remain in place over the next few days,” the forecast said.
“The extent of humidity is limited to the lowest levels of the atmosphere, so there will be only a small chance of violating the cumulus cloud rule at the onset of the sea breeze during the noon hours,” the forecast said.
For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.
Rick Neil He is Florida Today’s space correspondent. Contact Neal on[email protected]. Twitter/X: @Rick Neal1
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