SpaceX Falcon 9 double-header launch treats Space Coast over Spring Break
Brevard locals and spring breakers were treated to not one, but two SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Saturday.
This double-header launch from Cape Canaveral delivered more than just Starlink satellites, as SpaceX was tasked with getting the latest communication satellite from Airbus into orbit. To pull off this double-header, SpaceX used launch pads at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for the launches that were three hours 38 minutes apart.
These back-to-back launches came after the Delta IV Heavy delay on Thursday afternoon. With ULA's Delta IV rocket set to take its farewell flight, a weather hold was placed at T-4 minutes. A scrub was called shortly afterward due to problems with a gaseous nitrogen pipeline.
ULA updated on Tuesday, April 2nd, that the next launch attempt of Delta IV Heavy will be on Tuesday, April 9th at 12:53 p.m.. The company is awaiting range approval. The FAA already shows that time and date designated for the NROL-70 mission.
Spectators gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Titusville to watch the first of the two rocket launches Saturday evening. The day provided beautiful weather on the Space Coast, with the 45th Weather Squadron forecasting less than 5 percent chance of a weather violation for either launch.
When is the next launch: Is there a launch today? Upcoming rocket launch schedule for SpaceX, NASA in Florida
First up at 5:52 p.m., EUTELSAT 36D, a telecommunications satellite which will serve Africa and Eurasian countries, lifted off Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
The Airbus-built satellite was transported to Kennedy Space Center earlier this month after arriving in Stanford, Florida via an Airbus Beluga transport aircraft.
This Falcon 9 booster landed out in the Atlantic Ocean on the SpaceX droneship Just Read the Instructions, marking its twelfth successful flight, according to SpaceX.
Second SpaceX launch in one evening
Meanwhile, SpaceX had another Falcon 9 on the pad. This time, the rocket was waiting for a Starlink launch ? Starlink 6-45.
SpaceX pushed to the middle of the window with a launch time of 9:30 p.m., and the second Falcon 9 of the day rose into the night sky from Space Launch Complex 40, delivering 23 Starlink satellites to orbit.
Shortly afterward, the first stage Falcon 9 booster landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to SpaceX, this launch will mark the 18th flight for this specific Falcon 9. Its most memorable earlier launches included NASA Crew-3 and NASA Crew-4. This was the booster’s 9th Starlink mission.
How many SpaceX launches so far this year?
According to SpaceX, this was their 31st launch and landing of 2024. The company was aiming to add one more with another STARLINK group 7 launch from California planned for later Saturday night, but weather caused that launch to scrub.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at [email protected] or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Doubleheader Spring Break treat: SpaceX Falcon 9 launches twice Saturday
