Start summary: Scroll down for live coverage of the Friday, May 31 liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40.
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On Friday evening, SpaceX kicked off what could be a double-launch weekend.
A Falcon 9 rocket launched the next set of Starlink Internet satellites – Starlink 6-64 – into orbit. SpaceX stated that they would aim for a liftoff time of 10:37pm EDT – which was the end of the launch window, having already pushed back the launch time twice.
When is the next rocket launch in Florida?Is there a departure today? Next SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida
The rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 40 and traveled on a southeast trajectory.
The 45th Weather Squadron had called for 90% favorable weather ahead of Friday’s launch, however winds were an issue early in the launch window.
Should SpaceX be unable to launch on Friday, a backup window was available on Saturday evening beginning at 7:08 PM EDT.
To follow Friday’s launch was the crew test flight of Boeing’s Starliner, which was set to lift off at 12:25 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 1 from Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update at 10:45 p.m.: The booster has dropped to A lack of Gravitas droneship.
SpaceX Rise!
Update at 22:37: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Webcast of SpaceX launch begins
Update at 22:32: Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
We are 10 minutes away from tonight’s launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket!
Update 22:27: T-10 minutes! Get out if you plan to catch this launch! If you have clear skies, it will be hard to miss the bright rocket rising into the night sky.
Just look south of the Kennedy Space Center from your direction. The rocket will follow a southeast trajectory.
SpaceX goes for launch!
Update at 10:03 p.m.: SpaceX has started feeding ahead of tonight’s launch.
The Falcon 9 must now lift off or the mission will be scrapped for the day.
The SpaceX Countdown
Update at 10:00 p.m: While we wait for the launch hype tonight, let’s take a look at what to expect.
- 38 minutes: SpaceX’s launch director verifies “go” for propellant payload.
- 35 minutes: First stage loading of rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen begins.
- 16 minutes: Liquid oxygen charging begins in the second stage.
- 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch.
- 1 minute: The command flight computer initiates final pre-departure checks; Start pressurizing the fuel tank to flight pressure.
- 45 seconds: SpaceX’s launch director verifies the “go” for launch.
- 3 seconds: The engine controller commands the ignition sequence of the engine to start.
- 0 seconds: Rise.
SpaceX rocket launch backup option
Update at 21:42: If SpaceX can’t launch tonight, a backup window opens tomorrow, June 1, starting at 7:08 PM EDT.
So far, SpaceX still hopes to launch tonight.
New SpaceX launch time
Update at 9:29 p.m.: SpaceX is now targeting the end of the launch window at 10:37 PM EDT.
Brevard EOC ready for tonight’s SpaceX launch
Update at 21:23: Brevard EOC has begun preparations ahead of tonight’s launch.
SpaceX confirms that wind could be a problem
Update at 21:15: SpaceX is observing the wind before launch this evening.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will keep you updated as we head toward launch time!
Falcon 9 historical anniversary
Update at 9:08 p.m: Believe it or not, yesterday marked four years since the Falcon 9 launched the Demo-2 mission. This mission was the first mission to launch astronauts from US soil since the retirement of the space shuttle.
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were the first astronauts to board SpaceX’s Crew Dragon on this test flight, which certified the Dragon to carry NASA crews.
Sound familiar? The Boeing Starliner has its crew test flight tomorrow.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster has flown 13 times before
Update at 20:54: The booster used for this launch will see its fourteenth flight. On top of seven other Starlink missions, this Falcon 9 carried CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, Ob3 mPOWER, Ovzon 3 and EUTELSAT 36D.
It will land on drones A lack of Gravityso local sound booms are not expected.
SpaceX’s launch time was pushed back later in the window
Update at 20:42: Normally scheduled to launch at 7:47 p.m., SpaceX has pushed this launch to 10:11 PM EDT.
It’s been a windy night here on the Space Coast, however the skies remain clear as we head into a beautiful sunset.
Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team at floridatoday.com/space for the latest updates from the Space Coast.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact him at [email protected] or at X: @brookeofstars.
