SpaceX is planning to launch another set of Starlink satellites to orbit from Cape Canaveral. This is the “weekend launch” in what has basically been a twice weekly cadence lately. The launch window opens at 4:28PM and extends for four hours until 8:28PM. According to SpaceX, “If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, November 11 starting at 4:02 p.m. ET.”
After concluding its duty powering the payload towards orbit, the first stage booster, B1080, will land on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ which will be stationed on the Atlantic Ocean near The Bahamas. Since the booster is not returning directly to the Cape Canaveral region after liftoff, there will not be a sonic book over the Space Coast region. This will be the 12th flight of B1080.
Weather looks good, and it should be a beautiful day to go to space.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
At A Glance
- Mission: Starlink 6-69
- Date: NET November 10, 2024
- Launch Window: 4:28PM – 8:28PM EST*
- Weather: 75% GO
- Organization: SpaceX
- Rocket: Falcon 9
- Trajectory: Northeast
- Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Booster Landing: ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’
- Payload: Starlink satellites
- Destination: LEO
* consult SpaceX website for the specific target for T-0.
Payload
The mission’s payload is another group of Starlink satellites, which will join Group 6 of SpaceX/Starlink’s orbital constellation in low-Earth orbit. Starlink satellites account for more than 50% of all active satellites, with over 7,000 active units in orbit. Starlink is an Internet service serving over four million customers in over one hundred countries and territories globally.
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron of the US Space Force Launch Delta 45 has forecast a 10% probability of a violation of acceptable weather conditions through the launch window, meaning that they expect conditions to be 90% GO.
Primary concerns are winds and cumulus clouds in the Cape Canaveral area.
Trajectory
Southeastwards, or left to right if you are looking towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Online Viewing
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 6-69. This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage starts about fifteen minutes before liftoff.
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, SpaceX.com is the best source of information. Starlink launch times change from time to time, and the company generally updates their website within minutes of the decision to change the launch time. This is very handy if none of the streaming options on YouTube have started their broadcasts.
Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.
Next Space Flight an app for iOS and Android phones, has a real-time countdown clock that is accurate to a second, give or take. The app is free. Search the App Store or Google Play. They are also on the web: nextspaceflight.com.
Launch Viewing: In Person
The best free options are available for spectators: Jetty Park, the Banana River Bridge on FL 528 W or the southern Titusville parks on Washington Avenue / US-1 are your best bets.
The Space Bar will be open through the launch window. New York New York in Titusville will be open to roughly 7 PM, and is a great place to watch as well. Restaurants in Port Canaveral, specifically Gators Dockside, Fishlips and Grills Seafood should have good views after the rocket clears obstructions.