Updates: SpaceX Starlink launch Sunday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida
Watch Falcon 9 launch 23 @Starlink satellites to orbit https://t.co/KqQg7K7HbW
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 15, 2024
Updates: Scroll down for live coverage of the 8:52 p.m. EST liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday, Jan. 14.
SpaceX has pushed back the target liftoff time to 8:52 p.m. to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The Falcon 9 will deploy a batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites, which are packed inside the fairing atop the 230-foot rocket. The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron pegs the odds of "go for launch" weather at 80%, with thick cloud layers posing the primary risk.
SpaceX did not publicly announce why Saturday's Starlink 6-37 mission was initially postponed.
No local sonic booms are expected tonight. After soaring skyward along a southeastern trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a drone ship out at sea about 8? minutes after liftoff.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update 9 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas out on the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 12th mission.
Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship pic.twitter.com/MCxQMLzBvl
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 15, 2024
Liftoff!
Update 8:52 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/ChcZ89flRh
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 15, 2024
SpaceX live launch webcast begins
Update 8:47 p.m.: SpaceX's live launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted at the top of this page.
Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX Falcon 9 launch approaching
Update 8:40 p.m.: Twelve minutes before SpaceX's scheduled 8:52 p.m. Falcon 9 launch, the countdown appears to be proceeding as planned. Fueling remains well underway at Launch Complex 40.
As a reminder, here is a list of key upcoming countdown milestones. T-minus:
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: Falcon 9 liftoff.
SpaceX booster to land on drone ship
Update 8:34 p.m.: Tonight's mission marks the 12th flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.
Following stage separation, the booster is slated to land on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas out on the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 13 seconds after liftoff.
The booster previously launched SES-22, ispace’s HAKUTO-R Mission 1, Hispasat Amazonas Nexus mission, CRS-27 and seven Starlink missions, SpaceX reported.
SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling is now underway
Update 8:21 p.m.: Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, SpaceX just announced.
That means tonight’s Starlink 6-37 mission is now committed to lift off at 8:52 p.m., or else the launch must be postponed.
SpaceX to launch Axiom-3 astronaut mission
Update 8:05 p.m.: On Wednesday, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch four European astronauts to the International Space Station aboard a Dragon capsule.
Axiom-3 mission details:
Launch target: 5:11 p.m.
Location: Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
To prepare for the gravitational forces experienced on the journey to space, the #Ax3 crew had to take a spin in the centrifuge. This training helps ready the crew for the G-forces felt during launch and landing. pic.twitter.com/iMckFlRfRE
— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) January 6, 2024
SpaceX delays launch to 8:52 p.m.
Update 7:26 p.m.: SpaceX just announced tonight's liftoff has been pushed back again, to 8:52 p.m.
More backup opportunities are available until 11:25 p.m., if needed.
Radar shows skies clearing at Cape
Update 7:15 p.m.: A National Weather Service radar loop shows a line of showers gradually receding southward from Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX delays liftoff 38 minutes
Update 6:48 p.m.: SpaceX crews have pushed back tonight's target liftoff time from 7:27 to 8:05 p.m.
Rainfall and thick clouds have prevailed much of the afternoon and evening across the Space Coast.
? SOUTHERLY LAUNCH ALERT?
Tonight, SLD 45 will support the Falcon 9 Starlink 6-37 launch which will feature a southerly trajectory.
Launch window opens at 19:27 EST Jan 14 (00:27 UTC Jan 15)
T-0 may vary.
Hazard and airspace closure areas at https://t.co/9U4lPp760v pic.twitter.com/8rGNGZh69B— Space Launch Delta 45 (@SLDelta45) January 14, 2024
For the latest launch schedule updates from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Updates: SpaceX Starlink launch Sunday night from Cape Canaveral