Launch recap: SpaceX rocket launch from Florida on Starlink mission Tuesday night
Original story: Those waiting for a rocket launch do not have to wait much longer − a Falcon 9 rocket is planned to lift off tonight from Florida's Space Coast.
SpaceX plans to launch the Starlink 10-29 mission now at 11:37 p.m. July 29. Various factors, such as weather at the launch and booster landing locations could change timing. SpaceX states it has until 3:30 a.m. July 30 to launch during this window.
Lift off will be from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket will travel on a northeast trajectory, meaning those north of the Space Coast could get great views of the bright rocket against the night sky.
The mission is the latest batch of 27 SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites, which deliver internet to customers in some of the most remote areas in the world.
No Space Coast sonic booms will follow the liftoff, as the rocket's first-stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral
Countdown Timer
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update 11:45 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship Just Read the Instructions out on the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 26th mission.
SpaceX Liftoff!
Update 11:37 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 28 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral SLC-40!
SpaceX launch webcast begins
Update 11:32 p.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, right below the countdown clock.
Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
We are 10 minutes from tonight's SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch!
Update 11:27 p.m.: T-10 minutes! Head outside if you plan on catching this launch! If you have clear skies, it will be hard to miss the bright rocket rising into the night sky.
Simply look towards the direction South of Kennedy Space Center from your direction.
SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral countdown timeline
Update 11:17 p.m.: T- 20 minutes until tonight's launch.
Here's a behind-the-scenes rundown of SpaceX's countdown timeline. T-minus:
38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies 'go' for propellant load.
35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.
16 minutes: Second-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.
7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch.
1 minute: Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.
45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies 'go' for launch.
3 seconds: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start.
0 seconds: Liftoff.
SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway
Update 11:06 p.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement.
That means tonight's Starlink mission is now locked in to lift off at 11:37 p.m. without any countdown delays, or else the launch must be postponed.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster slated to fly 26th mission
Update 10:56 p.m.: Tonight's booster is flying for the 26th time.
Previous missions include 21 Starlink missions, CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18 and SES-19.
Liftoff is scheduled for 11:37 p.m.
SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard
Update 10:46 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
SpaceX Starship launch upcoming
Update 10:36 p.m.: SpaceX has announced the next planned launch of Starship out of Starbase, Texas. This launch comes after the last few missions ended in the loss of the ship before reentry.
There is currently no official launch date.
The uncrewed missions are aimed at pushing the design limits of Starship. Starship is aimed at becoming SpaceX's next workhorse launch system. SpaceX anticipates to eventually launch from and land at multiple Florida launch pads.
Tonight's Falcon 9 launch is in just over an hour from now.
SpaceX completes test fire ahead of Crew-11 launch from Florida
Update 10:25 p.m.: On July 29, SpaceX completed testing of the Falcon 9 rocket which will launch NASA Crew-11 to the ISS.
This test fire comes after an attempted test aborted on Monday, July 28 with less than a minute to the engine fire. SpaceX attributed the issue to the 'transporter erector's cradle arm position indication'. The transporter erector is what transports the rocket and raises it into launch position.
Tonight's liftoff is still planned for 11:37 p.m.
Weather outlook released for NASA Crew-11 SpaceX launch
Update 10:15 p.m.: The 45th Weather Squadron has released the T-2 day weather report ahead of the planned July 31 launch of NASA's Crew-11.
It is predicted launch day will see an 85% chance of favorable conditions during the time of the liftoff.
The crew of four will launch to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Liftoff is planned for 12:09 p.m. July 31.
NASA celebrates anniversary
Update 10:05 p.m.: On this day in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Act was signed and NASA saw its creation. NASA has been solving the mysteries of the solar system and beyond for the last 67 years.
SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral weather
Update 9:53 p.m.: The 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 90% chance of favorable conditions for tonight's launch, which is currently set for 11:37 p.m.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Launch recap: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Florida Tuesday night
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