SpaceX launch recap: Live updates from Starlink mission Thursday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Launch recap: Scroll down to review live coverage of the Thursday, June 27, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on the Starlink 10-3 mission.
It's another launch day on the Space Coast — with SpaceX scheduling a morning liftoff less than an hour after sunrise.
Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of today's SpaceX Starlink 10-3 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX is targeting 7:14 a.m. EDT to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40. The Falcon 9 will deploy another batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.
No Central Florida sonic booms are expected. After soaring skyward along a northeasterly trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea nearly 8? minutes after liftoff.
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Watch Falcon 9 launch 23 @Starlink satellites to orbit https://t.co/Dz0ykSOXxA
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 27, 2024
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update 7:22 a.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean, wrapping up its groundbreaking 22nd mission.
"Falcon 9 lands on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, completing the first 22nd launch and landing of a booster!" SpaceX officials said in a tweet.
Falcon 9 lands on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, completing the first 22nd launch and landing of a booster! pic.twitter.com/8WX1mE4QbH
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 27, 2024
Liftoff!
Update 7:14 a.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/GH3FjaqbgG
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 27, 2024
SpaceX launch webcast begins
Update 7:09 a.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.
Rocket launch coming up in 10 minutes
Update 7:04 a.m.: With 10 minutes remaining in the SpaceX launch countdown, all appears to be proceeding to liftoff.
After a brilliant orange sunrise, thin clouds are stretched across the morning sky here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Press Site, within eyeshot of the launch pad.
?LAUNCH ALERT?
Tomorrow, SLD45 will support the Falcon 9 Starlink 10-3 launch.
The launch window opens at 07:00 EDT, 11:00 UTC on June 27.
T-0 may vary.
Hazard and airspace closure areas at https://t.co/nWgTbtgMnB
Launch coverage here: https://t.co/Pmy9jg8du3 pic.twitter.com/LDS2oTZ8FU— Space Launch Delta 45 (@SLDelta45) June 26, 2024
SpaceX launch countdown timeline
Update 6:58 a.m.: Following is a rundown of SpaceX’s behind-the-scenes countdown timeline. T-minus:
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 underway
Update 6:42 a.m.: SpaceX just announced Falcon 9 fueling procedures are underway at Launch Complex 40.
"All systems are looking good and weather is favorable for today’s Falcon 9 launch of 23 @Starlink satellites from Florida," SpaceX officials said in a tweet.
That means the Starlink countdown is now locked in to lift off at 7:14 a.m. without any delays, or else today's launch must be postponed.
All systems are looking good and weather is favorable for today’s Falcon 9 launch of 23 @Starlink satellites from Florida. Propellant load is underway → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 27, 2024
SpaceX booster to fly for 22nd time
Update 6:30 a.m.: Today's mission marks the 22nd flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.
The much-traveled booster previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8 and 14 Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, crews expect the booster to land on the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 13 seconds after liftoff.
SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard
Update 6:13 a.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
6/27/24 6AM | We have activated our launch operations support team in preparation for the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launch. Window: 7-11AM. pic.twitter.com/XxLOp29erD
— Brevard EOC (@BrevardEOC) June 27, 2024
Space Force: 90% 'go for launch' weather
Update 5:57 a.m.: The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron predicts 90% odds of "go for launch" meteorological conditions, with cumulus clouds posing the top threat.
"Surface high pressure will remain to our east, with the ridge axis lingering south of the FL peninsula through the end of week," the squadron's forecast said.
"Although sea breeze showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon and evening near the Cape, most of the spaceport should remain dry during the primary and back-up launch windows," the forecast said.
This afternoon, the National Weather Service predicts the mercury will reach 94 degrees in Melbourne — with a sweltering heat index of 105.
6/27 | Before any cooling effects from scattered storms, it will be a hot one out there with temperatures running a few degrees above normal. Heat index readings from 102 to 107. Heat safety info at https://t.co/HwtKQH5abU #FLwx pic.twitter.com/ocpqHVshVj
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) June 27, 2024
For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and KSC, visit floridatoday.com/space.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX recap: Live updates from Thursday Starlink mission from Cape