Highlights of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Starlink 6-22 Mission
A remarkable milestone in space exploration, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched 22 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Notably, the first stage booster of the rocket also landed safely.
Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team live coverage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Starlink 6-24 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Space enthusiasts can witness another thrilling Starlink mission as SpaceX aims to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:17 p.m. EDT. This launch comes with an impressive 95% chance of favorable weather conditions, as predicted by the Space Force 45th Weather Squadron.
In 2021, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center achieved a remarkable feat by hosting 31 orbital rocket launches, breaking all previous records. This astonishing number escalated to an even more impressive 57 launches in the following year, showcasing an incredible 84% increase.
Just recently, a successful SpaceX Starlink mission brought Cape Canaveral’s orbital launch count to 57 in 2023, tying the record set in the previous year.
The upcoming Starlink mission, which is scheduled to deploy 23 internet-beaming satellites into low-Earth orbit, will not generate any local sonic booms. Following the liftoff from Launch Complex 40, the Falcon 9 will cruise towards the southeast before aiming for a landing on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas.
SpaceX’s live webcast, accessible via X (formerly Twitter), will be available approximately five minutes before liftoff and can be found at the top of this page.
Update 10:02 p.m. EDT: Just 15 minutes before the scheduled 10:17 p.m. EDT launch, all systems seem to be on track. The Falcon 9 rocket is being fueled at Launch Complex 40.
Here is a list of key upcoming countdown milestones for reference:
- T-minus 7 minutes: Falcon 9 commences engine chill.
- T-minus 1 minute: Command flight computer initiates final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization commences.
- T-minus 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director confirms launch readiness.
- T-minus 3 seconds: Engine controller ignites engine ignition sequence.
- T-minus 00:00:00: Falcon 9 lifts off.
Update 9:52 p.m. EDT: SpaceX officials have announced that weather conditions in Florida are perfect for the upcoming launch. If all goes according to plan, this will be SpaceX’s second rocket launch of the day. The first one took place earlier at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, where a Falcon 9 successfully deployed 21 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Update 9:43 p.m. EDT: The fueling process for the Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 40 has commenced. This confirms that the Starlink 6-24 mission is now committed to its scheduled liftoff time of 10:17 p.m. EDT.
Update 9:30 p.m. EDT: The Brevard County Emergency Management has activated their launch operations support team in preparation for the Falcon 9 launch.
Update 9:15 p.m. EDT: Here is a timeline of SpaceX’s countdown milestones for tonight:
- T-minus 38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies propellant load readiness.
- T-minus 35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading commences.
- T-minus 16 minutes: Second-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.
- T-minus 7 minutes: Falcon 9 commences engine chill.
- T-minus 1 minute: Command flight computer initiates final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization commences.
- T-minus 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director confirms launch readiness.
- T-minus 3 seconds: Engine controller ignites engine ignition sequence.
- T-minus 00:00:00: Falcon 9 lifts off.
Update 8:45 p.m. EDT: The first-stage booster supporting this mission has already been utilized for three previous flights. After separating from the main vehicle, the booster will attempt a controlled landing on the drone ship named “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 8 minutes and 22 seconds after liftoff. The primary launch window for the Starlink 6-24 mission is at 10:17 p.m. EDT on Saturday, with five backup opportunities if necessary, extending from 11:07 p.m. to 2:15 a.m. EDT on Sunday.
More: Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming Florida launches and landings
Space Force forecast ‘very favorable’ for liftoff
The 45th Weather Squadron of the Space Force has declared a 95% probability of favorable launch conditions for the upcoming mission. The launch forecast indicates highly favorable weather conditions for a successful liftoff, with low-level winds shifting to the west/northwest behind a weak cold front, while high pressure builds in the area. However, there is a slight risk of upper-level wind shear.
SpaceX launch: Here’s everything you need to know
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 40 will provide the staging ground for the Starlink 6-24 mission. This mission will involve the deployment of SpaceX’s next constellation of 22 Starlink satellites, designed to provide internet connectivity across the globe. The towering 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket will follow a southeasterly trajectory, passing through the waters between Florida and the Bahamas. The success of this launch will mark the 58th rocket launch from the Space Coast this year, further cementing its position as a premier launch hub. Notably, the mission will not result in any local sonic booms. Following liftoff, the 130-foot first stage booster will make a controlled landing on a drone ship approximately 8.5 minutes later.
For the most up-to-date launch schedule from the Cape, please visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Rick Neale, a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY, has contributed to this report. Contact Rick Neale at 321-242-3638 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RickNeale1.
