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Update: The SpaceX Falcon 9 launches with the Intelsat 40e satellite and NASA’s TEMPO instrument at 12:30 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The first stage of the booster successfully landed on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean a short time later.
Tune in live as SpaceX targets at 12:30 a.m. EST on Friday, April 7, for the Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The Intelsat satellite operator’s mission in Luxembourg will carry the Intelsat satellite 40e on an easterly trajectory from Launch Complex 40. The satellite also hosts a secondary payload, NASA’s Tropospheric Emissions Pollution Monitoring (TEMPO) instrument.
About eight minutes after liftoff, the first supporting stage will target the unmanned SpaceX A Shortfall of Gravitas ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean for a landing attempt. No local sonic boom is expected this time.
Space Force controllers predicted a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions for takeoff for tonight’s launch attempt.
For the latest information, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Updates from Friday’s event below:
Falcon 9 landed:
12:29 a.m. EST:The 162-foot Falcon 9 first stage booster has successfully landed on the Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its fourth mission.
Leaves:
12:30 a.m. EST: The SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying an Intelsat 40e satellite and NASA’s Tempo probe into orbit.
One minute until takeoff
12:29 PM EST: SpaceX is now just a minute away from lifting off the Falcon 9 with the Intelsat 40e satellite and NASA’s TEMPO instrument from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Weather, Range, and Falcon 9 are the launch “go” features.
Ten minutes until take-off:
12:20 a.m. EST: SpaceX is now just 10 minutes away from Falcon 9 liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The weather remains to “go” for the launch, as does the range.
First-hand look at Launch Complex 40:
12:03 a.m. EST: Here’s a live look at a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during refueling at Launch Complex 40 of the Space Force Station Cape Canaveral prior to target liftoff at 12:30 a.m. EDT.
Remaining countdown milestones
11:50 PM EST: Here’s a look at the remaining landmarks before take-off at 12:30 a.m. EST:
- 00:35:00 Loading of RP-1 (Rocket Grade Kerosene) begins
- 00:35:00 LOX (Liquid Oxygen) first stage loading begins
- 00:16:00 Loading of the second stage of LOX begins
- 00:07:00 Falcon 9 starts engine cooling before launch
- 00:01:00 Drive trip computer to begin final checks
- 00:01:00 Fuel tank pressure to flight pressure begins
- 00:00:45 SpaceX launch manager checks startup
- 00:00:03 Engine ignition sequence for engine control commands
- 00:00:00 Falcon 9 takes off
ongoing fueling:
11:47 PM EST: SpaceX’s launch manager is the “go” to advance Falcon 9 supply and launch. Lift off from Platform 40 at target Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 12:30 a.m. EDT.
1 hour until take-off:
11:30 PM EST: SpaceX continues the countdown to the launch of the Falcon 9 from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, target for 12:30 a.m. EDT. We should get an update from SpaceX in about 20 minutes. Stay tuned.
The weather looks good for takeoff:
11:00 PM EST: The weather conditions over Cape Canaveral look mostly clear for take off and the wind is not a concern for take off yet. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the start of refueling.
Welcome to the live coverage:
11:00 PM EST: SpaceX launch teams are counting down to a Falcon 9 launch at 12:29 a.m. EDT from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.. Tonight’s mission will carry the Intelsat 40e communications satellite to Intelsat orbit and feature a hosted payload for NASA’s Troposphere Emissions Monitoring Instrument Pollution (TEMPO).
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