Latest news with #CRS-22
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 28 Starlink satellites to orbit on record-breaking 28th flight (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. SpaceX has broken its rocket-reuse record yet again. A Falcon 9 rocket topped with 28 of the company's Starlink internet satellites launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida Tuesday (May 13) at 1:02 a.m. EDT (0502 GMT). It was the 28th liftoff for this particular rocket's first stage, breaking the reuse mark the same booster set on April 13. On that 27th launch, the rocket lofted 27 Starlink craft — a bit of synchronicity that doesn't seem coincidental given the number of payloads on Flight 28. Booster 1067 missions CRS-22 | Crew-3 | Turksat 5B | Crew-4 | CRS-25 | Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G | O3B mPOWER | PSN SATRIA | Telkomsat Marah Putih 2 | Galileo L13 | Koreasat-6A | 17 Starlink missions The Falcon 9 booster, designated B1067, returned to Earth for its 28th landing about eight minutes after liftoff on Tuesday, touching down on the SpaceX drone ship "Just Read the Instructions," which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, the rocket's upper stage continued carrying the 28 Starlink satellites toward low Earth orbit, where they're scheduled to be deployed 65 minutes after liftoff. Related stories: — SpaceX: Facts about Elon Musk's private spaceflight company — Starlink satellites: Facts, tracking and impact on astronomy — Starlink satellite train: how to see and track it in the night sky Tuesday's record-breaking launch was the second SpaceX mission in the span of a few hours: Another Falcon 9 lofted 26 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Monday night (May 12). Starlink is the largest satellite constellation ever assembled — and it's growing all the time, as the back-to-back spaceflight action shows. There are currently 7,400 operational Starlink spacecraft circling Earth, according to astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Launch recap: SpaceX rocket launches after scrub from Kennedy Space Center
Launch recap: Live updates from the Starlink 6-83 mission which launched at 1:02 a.m. on May 13 from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Original Story: After a scrub early this morning, SpaceX crews will try again tonight to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center — but will springtime clouds and precipitation pose a threat yet again? SpaceX is now targeting 1:02 a.m. to launch the Falcon 9 from pad 39A to deploy a payload of 28 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Backup liftoff opportunities are available beyond midnight through 3:31 a.m. Tuesday, if needed. The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron only predicted a 50% chance of "go for launch" early during this four-hour window, citing cumulus clouds and surface electric fields. However, those odds of favorable weather jump to 90% "with quick improvement for the remainder of the window." After soaring along a southeasterly trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea about eight minutes after liftoff. Countdown Timer Update 1:10 a.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 28th mission. Update 1:02 a.m.: The Falcon 9 rocket has left KSC Pad 39A! Update 12:56 a.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, right below the countdown clock. Liftoff is scheduled in six minutes from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Update 12:52 a.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 sky. Update 12:42 a.m.: 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. Update 12:30 a.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at KSC Pad 39A, though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement. That means tonight's Starlink mission is now locked in to lift off at 1:02 a.m. without any countdown delays, or else the launch must be postponed. Update 12:22 a.m.: It will be a record-breaking 28th flight for the first-stage booster. Previous flights include: 16 Starlink missions, CRS-22, NASA's Crew-3, Turksat 5B, NASA's Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, O3B mPOWER-A, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2, Galileo L13, and Koreasat-6A. Eight-and-a-half minutes after launch, the booster will land on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship, which will be waiting out on the Atlantic Ocean. Update 12:15 a.m.: SpaceX is still targeting 1:02 a.m. for tonight's liftoff. Meanwhile, Axiom Space has provided a look at the spacesuit which astronauts will wear on the lunar surface during the Artemis III mission, which is set for no earlier than mid-2027. ESA astronaut, Matthias Maurer, recently got to test out the new lunar spacesuit. Update 12:05 a.m.: NASA is seeking public input on the design of the zero-g indicator for the Artemis II mission. Artemis II is set to fly a crew of four around the moon no earlier than Spring 2026. At 3 p.m. ET today, NASA experts will go live on Twitch to live-sketch a zero-g indicator. Learn more here: Update 11:55 p.m.: While the previous two Starship launches from Texas did not go as smooth as SpaceX planned, the company is finally moving toward Flight 9. SpaceX has posted video footage of the Starship for Flight 9 being transported for pre-launch testing in Texas. SpaceX has not yet provided an official launch date for the massive rocket's ninth test flight. Update 11:45 p.m.: Tonight's Florida SpaceX launch isn't the only one for the company. Earlier this evening, SpaceX launched 26 Starlink satellites out of Vandenberg, California. Update 11:33 p.m.: As the 45th Weather Squadron predicted, the storms are moving offshore. It remains to be seen if the weather will clear from the booster landing area, which is southeast of Florida. SpaceX is still targeting 1:02 a.m., yet opportunities exist until 3:31 a.m. if needed. For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@ Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Launch recap: SpaceX rocket launches from Florida after earlier scrub
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Post-scrub, SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches on record-breaking flight from Cape Canaveral
The first-stage of a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off and landed for record-breaking 28th time early Tuesday, May 13, leaving many to wonder just how many flights SpaceX will eventually get out of a single Falcon 9. The weather had been poor for days, with the mission originally scrubbing on May 12 and then being postponed until the early hours of May 13. The weather finally moved offshore, and the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 1:02 a.m. from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A with 28 Starlink internet satellites. "Fleet leading Falcon booster completes its 28th launch and landing," a post by SpaceX on X (formerly Twitter) stated after the liftoff. SpaceX continues to push the limits of this particular Falcon 9 booster, with it seeing a record-breaking 28th flight. Previous flights include16 Starlink missions, CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, O3B mPOWER-A, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2, Galileo L13, and Koreasat-6A. To date, SpaceX is the only company to have been successful at landing a rocket's first-stage on a seafaring vessel − referred to as 'drone ships' − for retrieval and reuse. Blue Origin hopes to eventually achieve the same with the first-stage of its New Glenn rocket. Landing the first-stage booster on a vessel allows the company to reuse and reduce the cost of launches. No Space Coast sonic booms were heard. Just over eight minutes past liftoff the record-breaking booster landed out on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship, which was stationed out on the Atlantic Ocean. This launch marked the 29th Starlink launch of the year from the Florida. Overall, it was the 41st orbital mission of the year from the Florida launch pads. While the majority of these missions were SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, Blue Origin's New Glenn and ULA's Atlas V have also each seen a launch this year. When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral According to a Federal Aviation Administration advisory, the next rocket launch is set for no earlier than 11:43 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14. The mission, referred to as Starlink 6-67, will be a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket delivering the next batch of Starlink satellites to orbit. The Florida Today Space Team will provide live updates beginning 90 minutes prior to liftoff at Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX rocket launch sees record-breaking flight for Falcon 9 booster
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Beautiful launch': NASA, SpaceX send Dragon spacecraft with 6,700 pounds of cargo to ISS
Generating window-rattling sonic booms in the cloudless predawn air, NASA and SpaceX teamed up Monday, April 21, to launch a Falcon 9 rocket on a resupply run to the International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center. "Excellent and beautiful launch we had," Dana Weigel, NASA's ISS program manager, said during the agency's launch broadcast. The CRS-32 mission lifted off at 4:15 a.m. EDT from pad 39A under pristine weather conditions from the Cape, carrying more than three tons of cargo to the orbiting outpost. Weigel's post-liftoff remarks came about 11 minutes after the Falcon 9 first-stage booster touched down at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, completing its third mission. Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral Looking ahead, the Dragon should wrap up its roughly 28-hour trek and dock autonomously with the ISS about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, April 22. The spacecraft is logging its fifth mission after previously flying the CRS-22, CRS-24, CRS-27 and CRS-30 missions to the ISS. A NASA breakdown of the 6,659 pounds of cargo packed inside the Dragon: Crew supplies: 3,236 pounds. Science investigations: 562 pounds. Vehicle hardware: 562 pounds. Spacewalk equipment: 419 pounds. Computer resources: 18 pounds. Zebulon Scoville, deputy manager of NASA's Transportation Integration Office with the ISS program, told reporters the Dragon's supply list includes 1,262 tortillas for ISS crew members. 'Typically we do try to fly some fresh fruits or vegetables — or even some ice cream we've flown in the past with the crew," Scoville said during a Friday prelaunch media teleconference. "This time, we tried to prioritize some of the more shelf-stable foods that have a longer shelf life, compared to some of those more perishable items,' Scoville said. The Dragon should remain at the ISS for about one month, then return to Earth carrying about 4,000 pounds of items, Youmei Zhou, a SpaceX propulsion engineer, said during the launch broadcast. "This is our 52nd Dragon mission overall and the 47th to the space station, with 31 of those on re-flown Dragons," Zhou said. Monday's Falcon 9 liftoff marked Florida's 31st orbital rocket launch thus far this year from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and adjacent KSC. As a reminder, the Cape established a new record of 93 annual launches just last year. "Along with food and essential equipment for the crew, Dragon is delivering a variety of science experiments, including a demonstration of refined maneuvers for free-floating robots," a NASA post-launch press release said. "Dragon also carries an enhanced air quality monitoring system that could help protect crew members on exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, and two atomic clocks to examine fundamental physics concepts, such as relativity, and test global synchronization of precision timepieces," the press release said. For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@ Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA, SpaceX launch Dragon with 6,700 pounds of cargo to space station
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 rocket for resupply mission to ISS: How to watch
The Brief SpaceX is targeting early Monday morning to launch a Falcon 9 rocket for a resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch is expected to take place at 4:15 a.m. on April 21 from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, backup opportunities for that launch are available beginning at 3:53 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22. BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - SpaceX is targeting early Monday morning to launch a Falcon 9 rocket for a resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). What we know The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch is for the Dragon's 32nd Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-32) mission to the ISS. The flight will carry thousands of pounds of science investigations and other technology to the crew on board. What's next After an approximate 28-hour flight, Dragon will autonomously dock with the orbiting laboratory at 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22. Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1). The backstory CRS-32 is the fifth flight for this Dragon spacecraft, which previously flew CRS-22, CRS-24, CRS-27 and CRS-30 to the space station. This is the third flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-69 and a Starlink mission. Timeline The launch is expected to take place at 4:15 a.m. on April 21 from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, backup opportunities for the launch are available beginning at 3:53 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22. What you can do A live webcast of the mission will begin about 20 minutes prior to liftoff. The mission can be watched on SpaceX's website here or on SpaceX's X account here. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by SpaceX on its website.
