Monday may bring another doubleheader to the Space Coast tomorrow, albeit from two different companies flying off adjacent pads roughly ten hours apart: the long-awaited Starliner CFT mission, of course, but also another SpaceX Falcon 9 mission to add to its Starlink constellation earlier in the day.

The launch window for the SpaceX mission from Space Launch Complex 40 opens at 12:36 PM EDT and extends until 2:48 PM the same day. Should the launch not occur, SpaceX says “If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Tuesday, May 7 starting at 11:08 a.m. ET.”

11:15 AM EDT Update: SpaceX now says, “Liftoff is targeted for 2:14 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 2:48 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Tuesday, May 7 starting at 11:08 a.m. ET.

Around eight and half minutes after liftoff, the first stage is planned to touch down on one of SpaceX’s three automated barges, this time ‘Just Read The Instructions’ which will be positioned downrange in the Atlantic Oceen to await the returning booster.

Payload

Another 23 Starlink V2 Mini satellites for the Starlink constellation. Each satellite weighs approximately 800 kg (~1764 pounds.)

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron is forecasting a 10% chance of creating a Range Violation Monday afternoon, meaning an 90% chance of acceptable conditions. On Tuesday, should a scub occur, conditions remain essentially the same.

Sky Cover

The National Weather Service is calling for cloud cover of about 30-35% tomorrow afternoon at the opening of the launch window. The launch should be visible to spectators, but the rocket may be blocked by clouds from time to time during ascent.

Trajectory

Rinse, lather, repeat: Starlink Group 6 missions have flown a southeastern trajectory thus far, and tomorrow is no different:

Booster: B1069

Booster B1069 will be flying its fifteen mission. It has been in service since December 21, 2021 when it flew the CRS-24 ISS cargo/resupply mission. Since then, it has launched Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18 and SES-19, and 10 Starlink missions. 

B1069		May 5, 2024
Flight	Mission	Launch Date
1	CRS-24	December 21, 2021
2	Starlink 4-23	August 28, 2022
3	Hotbird 13F	October 15, 2022
4	OneWeb 15	December 8, 2022
5	Starlink 5-3	February 2, 2023
6	SES 18 & 19	March 17, 2023
7	Starlink 5-6	May 4, 2023
8	Starlink 5-12	June 23, 2023
9	Starlink 6-9	August 11, 2023
10	Starlink 6-19	September 30, 2023
11	Starlink 6-28	November 18, 2023
12	Starlink 6-36	December 29, 2023
13	Starlink 6-39	February 25, 2024
14	Starlink 6-47	April 5, 2024

Landing

Per SpaceX, “Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the ‘Just Read The Instructions droneship’, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.”

After touching down on ‘Just Read The Instructions’, the booster will be returned to Port Canveral after a few days, where it will be offloaded and transported to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center, where it will be inspected, refurbished and possibly prepared for another next flight.

Interesting Stats

• 3 days, 13:59:00 turnaround for SLC-40
• 22nd launch from SLC-40 this year
• 47th SpaceX launch this year
• 358th SpaceX launch all time
• 304th Falcon Family Booster landing
• 81st landing on JRTI
• 260th consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch (excluding Amos-6) (if successful)

Watching Online

SpaceCoastLaunchCalendar.com will have a livestream of the launch if you’re not able to watch the launch in person: Livestream

SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 6-57 This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage starts about five minutes before liftoff.

Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link

Watching In Person

This evening’s planned launch is from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are: Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, or the  southern parks on US-1 / S. Washington Avenue in Titusville. Kennedy Point Park and Rotary Riverfront Park (among others) are your best bets.

Playalinda Beach on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore should be open, but keep in mind that this launch is at Space Launch Complex 40, and it is further away than LC-39A. Still, it will have great views. If you are planning to go there, plan to arrive at least two hours early and keep in mind that CCNS has an entrance fee. No cash accepted, so bring you debit or credit card.

Cocoa Beach, Jetty Park and other area beaches should have good views as well once Falcon 9 clears any ground obstructions in your line of sight.

Be prepared for potential changes or pushbacks in the launch schedule, and keep up by monitoring the live stream links mentioned above.