Update: Sunday, July 9th at 11:58pm EDT Liftoff of SpaceX’s latest Starlink Internet satellites! The successful launch and landing – the 16th for this booster – paves the way for another mission currently targeted for early Thursday, July 1.3. See the latest in our release schedule here.
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Follow live updates as SpaceX targets the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and 22 on Sunday, July 9, at 11:58 pm EDT. Starlink Internet Satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Tonight’s launch window is immediate, meaning the 230-foot rocket should fly on time at 11:58 p.m. or no later than Monday evening. The next available opportunity opens on Monday, July 10 at 8:11 PM EDT.
After liftoff and a flight to the southeast, the Falcon 9’s first stage booster will target the drone landing in the Atlantic Ocean. This will mark its 16th flight date, making it SpaceX’s fleet leader.
Follow live updates below:
Liftoff!
11:58 pm EDT: The latest Starlink mission liftoff from Cape Canaveral! Next the Just Read the Instructions drone lands on the ship and then deploys within an hour. Here is the post-release timeline:
- T-Plus 00:01:12: Max Q (the moment of peak mechanical stress of the rocket)
- 00:02:27: First Stage Main Engine Cut (MECO)
- 00:02:31: Levels 1 and 2 are separate
- 00:02:38: 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
- 00:03:05: Fair deployment
- 00:06:13: First stage entry burn begins
- 00:07:32: 1st stage entry burn ends
- 00:08:09: 1st stage landing burn begins
- 00:08:30: 1st stage landing
- 00:08:39: 2nd level mechanical cut (SECO-1)
- 00:54:09: 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2
- 00:54:11: 2nd level mechanical cut (SECO-2)
- 01:02:19: Starlink satellites are deployed
T-minus takes 5 minutes to start
11:53 pm EDT: At T-minus five minutes, everything is proceeding according to plan toward this year’s liftoff of the Space Coast’s 34th mission. If you’re a local viewer, enjoy the show!
SpaceX is fueling the Falcon 9 rocket
11:23 pm EDT: SpaceX began fueling the Falcon 9 rocket at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, setting the stage for liftoff in time for 11:58 p.m. EDT. Here’s the rest of the timeline:
- 00:35:00: Loading of RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) begins
- 00:35:00: First stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
- 00:16:00: 2nd stage LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch
- 00:01:00: Command flight computer to begin final pre-launch checks
- 00:01:00: Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
- 00:00:45: SpaceX launch director checks to launch “Go”.
- 00:00:03: The engine controller commands the engine to start the ignition sequence.
- 00:00:00: Falcon 9 liftoff
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Tonight’s launch pad: Southeast
10:45 PM EDT: After liftoff from Launch Complex 40 at 11:58 p.m. EDT, the Falcon 9 booster flying the Starlink mission tonight will fly on a southeast track. SpaceX has flown nearly 100 missions dedicated to the galaxy and has more than 1.5 million customers to date.
Falcon 9 booster for the record
10 p.m. EDT: Tonight’s 11:58 pm EDT launch will mark the 16th flight for this booster, making it the most flights for the Falcon 9 to date. If all goes according to plan, it will land aboard the Just Read the Instructions drone 8 minutes and 30 seconds after liftoff.
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SpaceX is still planning to launch
9 p.m. EDT: SpaceX crews are still planning to launch this Starlink mission, called 6-5, from Launch Complex 40. In the interim the storms have moved over the Space Coast and conditions are more favorable for a timely lift at 11:58 pm EDT. .
SpaceX is now targeting the end of the window
6:30 p.m. EDT: SpaceX is now targeting the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for a last-chance launch window tonight, which is 11:58 p.m. EDT. The company did not release details on why the rocket did not fly on three occasions, at 8:36 p.m., 9:27 p.m. and 10:17 p.m. EDT.
If schedules hold, fueling should begin at 11:23 pm EDT. Here’s the pre-release timeline:
- D-minus 00:38:00: SpaceX launch director checks “go” for propellant load
- 00:35:00: Loading of RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) begins
- 00:35:00: First stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
- 00:16:00: 2nd stage LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch
- 00:01:00: Command flight computer to begin final pre-launch checks
- 00:01:00: Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
- 00:00:45: SpaceX launch director checks to launch “Go”.
- 00:00:03: The engine controller commands the engine to start the ignition sequence.
- 00:00:00: Falcon 9 liftoff
Rocket Launch Schedule:Upcoming Florida launches and landings
