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Brevard Space Coast SpaceX ULA NASA rocket launch sites
A quick look at the rockets launching from different Brevard launch sites.
Get ready for the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early 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 2:10 PM EST from Pad 39A. The original launch target was 11 a.m., but the company announced two delays totaling 3 hours and 10 minutes.
Falcon 9 will deploy a constellation of Starlink internet satellites, positioned within the fascia atop the 230-foot-tall rocket. Backup launch opportunities only remain until 2:42 p.m., in case there are further delays.
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
Update 11:18 am: Another delay: SpaceX is now targeting 2:10pm for today’s launch.
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.
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 launch 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.
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.
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.
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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