SpaceX launch recap: Live updates from Starlink mission Friday from Cape Canaveral

Launch recap: Scroll down to review live coverage of the Friday, June 7, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on the Starlink 10-1 mission.

Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

After a quartet of delays, SpaceX is now targeting 9:56 p.m. for liftoff from Launch Complex 40. Anvil clouds, cumulus clouds and surface electric fields loom as meteorological threats for this Starlink 10-1 mission, the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron reported.

The rocket will deploy a batch of 22 Starlink internet-beaming 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 8? minutes after liftoff.

Countdown Timer

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 10:04 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 16th mission.

"Falcon 9 lands for the 300th time," SpaceX officials said in a tweet.

Liftoff!

Update 9:56 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 carrying 22 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 9:51 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.

Radar shows clear skies for SpaceX launch

Update 9:43 p.m.: In a meteorological switch, this National Weather Service radar loop shows the stormy rainfall and towering clouds that swept across the Space Coast this evening have moved offshore.

SpaceX booster to land on drone ship

Update 9:33 p.m.: Tonight's mission marks the 16th flight for this much-traveled Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.

The booster previously launched CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18 and SES-19, and 11 Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, crews expect the booster to land on the SpaceX drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 26 seconds after liftoff.

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling finally underway

Update 9:23 p.m.: SpaceX just announced Falcon 9 fueling procedures are finally underway at Launch Complex 40, "and weather conditions have improved for liftoff."

That means tonight’s Starlink countdown is now locked in to lift off at 9:56 p.m. without any delays, or else the launch must be postponed.

SpaceX announces fourth launch delay

Update 8:59 p.m.: In a now-familiar refrain, SpaceX officials have announced a new liftoff target of 9:56 p.m. — the fourth launch delay of the evening.

'Gorgeous' sunset at Cape Canaveral

Update 8:47 p.m.: FLORIDA TODAY Photographer/Videographer Craig Bailey captured this image of the setting sun from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Press Site, near Launch Complex 40.

SpaceX announces third launch delay

Update 8:26 p.m.: SpaceX just announced its third delay tonight, setting a new target time of 9:32 p.m.

This NWS radar loop from the Melbourne Orlando International Airport shows significant clouds, rainfall and storms continuing to advance toward Cape Canaveral from the west.

Clouds, lightning near SpaceX launch site

Update 8:07 p.m.: FLORIDA TODAY Photographer/Videographer Craig Bailey shot this image of a towering cloud formation to the southwest of Launch Complex 40.

SpaceX pushes back launch time again

Update 7:51 p.m.: For a second time tonight, SpaceX has postponed the target liftoff time. New time: 9:02 p.m.

The company did not provide a reason for the delay. However, National Weather Service radar shows a large area of storms closing in on Central Brevard from the west.

Starlink launch to cap busy space week

Update 7:46 p.m.: Tonight's SpaceX launch will cap a busy week of high-profile rocket liftoffs:

Tuesday: SpaceX launches Starlink 10-1 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Wednesday: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V sends up Boeing's Starliner capsule from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Thursday: SpaceX launches its fourth Starship test flight from Boca Chica, Texas.

Storms approaching Space Coast

Update 7:29 p.m.: This National Weather Service radar loop shows a powerful storm approaching the Melbourne area and Central Brevard from the west.

A smaller stormy area just east of Orlando appears to be tracking toward Cape Canaveral.

SpaceX pushes back launch 28 minutes

Update 7:18 p.m.: SpaceX just announced tonight's new target launch time is 8:28 p.m.

SpaceX launch countdown timeline

Update 7:15 p.m.: Here's a rundown of SpaceX’s upcoming behind-the-scenes 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.

High winds, waves north of SpaceX launch site

Update 7:05 p.m.: A NWS special marine warning remains in effect for 10 more minutes for coastal and offshore Atlantic areas in southern Volusia County, north of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Forecasters warn of winds topping 34 knots and steep waves.

SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard

Update 6:55 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.

Launch weather: Will storms stay off the Cape?

Update 6:41 p.m.: The 45th Weather Squadron forecast called for a 60% chance of "go for launch" weather during tonight's window.

Today's NWS forecast calls for a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms — mainly before 10 p.m. — at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

In southernmost Brevard County, a special weather statement remains in effect until 6:45 p.m. for Micco, Sebastian and points southward. NWS meteorologists warn of potential 50 mph winds.

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. Contact Neale at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launch recap: Updates from Starlink mission Friday from Cape