SpaceX launch recap: Bandwagon-1 mission Sunday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Launch recap: Scroll down to review live coverage of the Sunday, April 7, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX Bandwagon-1 mission from KSC.

SpaceX is targeting 7:16 p.m. EDT — a half-hour before sunset — to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 11 various spacecraft from pad 39A.

The Falcon 9 will deploy these spacecraft into orbit on the Bandwagon-1 mission, marking the debut of SpaceX's latest "rideshare" program.

Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming rocket launch schedule for SpaceX, ULA, NASA in Florida

After ascending along a northeasterly trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station 7? minutes after liftoff — triggering Central Florida sonic booms.

And the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron predicts odds of "go for launch" weather will exceed 95%.

Countdown Timer

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 7:25 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just returned for a landing at SpaceX's Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, wrapping up its 14th mission.

Liftoff!

Update 7:16 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 11 spacecraft into orbit from pad 39A at KSC.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launch coming up

Update 7:11 p.m.: Five minutes before SpaceX's scheduled 7:16 p.m. Falcon 9 launch, the countdown appears to be proceeding as planned. A few key upcoming countdown milestones during the final minute. T-minus:

• 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: Falcon 9 liftoff.

SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 7:06 p.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, right below the countdown clock.

Liftoff is scheduled in 10 minutes from KSC.

SpaceX launch approaches under clear skies

Update 6:58 p.m.: This National Weather Service radar loop from the station at Melbourne Orlando International Airport shows clear, cloud-free skies across the Sunshine State peninsula.

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway

Update 6:50 p.m.: Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at pad 39A, visual cues indicate.

That means tonight’s Bandwagon-1 countdown is now locked in to lift off at 7:16 p.m. without any delays, or else the launch must be postponed.

SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard

Update 6:20 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 booster to land on drone ship

Update 6:10 p.m.: Tonight's mission marks the 14th flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.

The booster previously launched SES-22, ispace's HAKUTO-R MISSION 1, Amazonas-6, CRS-27 and nine Starlink missions, SpaceX reported.

Space Force weather forecast details

Update 5:51 p.m.: Thick cloud layers were the lone risk cited by the 45th Weather Squadron in its forecast for tonight's launch.

"A surface high-pressure center will drape over the Carolina-Georgia coastline by the primary launch window, causing light northeasterly winds and benign weather conditions," the forecast said.

For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launch recap: Bandwagon-1 mission Sunday from KSC in Florida