Summer is nearly back on the Space Coast, with warm temperatures and a persistent threat of rain in the afternoon and evenings — typical weather here, and it will stay this way for several months. That being said, Atlas V was able to beat the weather last night and launched at the opening of its window, with liftoff at 7:01 PM ET after an apparently quiet countdown, save for some concerns about the energy potential of a nearby anvil cloud (Cumulonimbus incus) lingering near the launch pad before dissipating.
Summer is nearly back on the Space Coast, with warm temperatures and a persistent threat of rain in the afternoon and evenings — typical weather here, and it will stay this way for several months. That being said, Atlas V was able to beat the weather last night and launched at the opening of its window, with liftoff at 7:01 PM ET after an apparently quiet countdown, save for some concerns about the energy potential of a nearby anvil cloud (Cumulonimbus incus) lingering near the launch pad before dissipating.
Atlas V Kuiper KA-01 lifting off from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral on April 28, 2025 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The launch carried 27 Amazon Kuiper satellites to orbit. These were the first operational units of Amazon’s planned Internet service constellation, which is planned to feature some 3,236 units when fully built out.
For more information about Project Kuiper, click here.
Atlas V was outfitted in its 551 configuration, meaning it had five GEM 63 solid rockets strapped onto the booster for additional lift. It also had a five-meter fairing, the largest used on the venerable member of ULA’s stable. Tory Bruno, CEO of ULA, calls this setup “The Bruiser” and that’s an apt name: it’s a big rocket and has a lot of power. Good thing, because yesterday, Atlas V carried the most weight to orbit in 155 missions so far.
Atlas V Kuiper KA-01 in flight Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The launch was nominal, as was the flight to orbit. At 7:18 Tory Bruno announced on X.com that the payload was in orbit, and later, after deployment, Project Kuiper posted that it had established communications with all 27 Kuiper satellites. With that, the mission was a full success.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-75 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-75
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
Window Opens
Wednesday, 04/30/2025 10:17:00 PM EDT
Window Closes
Thursday, 05/01/2025 2:48:00 AM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Please note that the launch window times are provided in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
For the most current information regarding the launch schedule and status, please refer to official updates from SpaceX.com
Atlas V’s ascent path was illustrated clearly by a plume trail from the rocket’s SRBs Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Atlas V at SLC-41 on April 28, 2025 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
United Launch Alliance is set to launch and Atlas V 551 this evening from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window opens at 7:00 PM ET and closes again at 9:00 PM the same day.
This will be ULA’s first launch this year. The company is winding down Atlas V launches, with only fifteen remaining, tonight’s launch included. ULA also recently retired Delta IV Heavy, and launched the last one a year ago today. The company is moving towards its Vulcan rocket, which it has launched twice. Vulcan recently received USSL certification for its new Vulcan rocket, which is now awaiting payloads prior to its next flight.
As is customary with Atlas V, all stages are expendable, so there will be no landing and retrieval of the booster. After its job is done for the day, it will crash into the ocean and sleep with the fishes.
For More Coverage of Amazon Kuiper Project, click here.
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Delta 45 has posted their Launch Mission Execution Forecast, and they are rating the chances of a weather violation at 25% on Monday, April 28, with chances dropping drastically to only a 10% chance of weather being an issue on Tuesday, April, 29th.
Trajectory
Northeast. Depending on when Atlas V launches, it may put on quite a show. Local sunset is 7:45 PM ET, so if the launch is at the opening of the window, we will see a beautiful sunset launch. If it is delayed an hour, the sun will have set on the ground, but Civil Twilight last until 8:09 PM and that means that Atlas V’s plumes will still be in sunlight up high. It might be interesting, but forecasting a jellyfish plume is tricky.
What Is Project Kuiper?
Similar to SpaceX’s Starlink, Project Kuiper is Amazon’s initiative to provide global broadband access through a constellation of over 3,000 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Announced in 2019, the project’s goal is to deliver fast, affordable internet connectivity to unserved and underserved communities worldwide. Like Starlink, by leveraging LEO satellites, Project Kuiper aims to provide low-latency broadband services to a diverse range of customers, including individual households, schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies.
Atlas V, with Kuiper K-01, stands at the ready on the launch mount at SLC-41.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk Of Titusville
To achieve this, Amazon plans to deploy some 3,236 satellites at altitudes ranging from 590 to 630 kilometers. The company has secured agreements for up to 83 launches over a five-year period, utilizing various launch providers such as Arianespace’s Ariane 6, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V and later, Vulcan Centaur.
Launch Viewing: Online
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, United Launch Alliance’s website is the best source of information. 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 southern viewing spots are the best for this launch, but none are particularly close except for Playalinda Beach. Problem is, Playalinda closes at 8PM, so unless the launch is right on time, it won’t be an option.
The best free options are available for spectators: 528 West at the Banana River Bridge, Jetty Park and Cherie Down Park in Cape Canaveral. Southern Titusville parks on Washington Avenu / US-1 are also good: Kennedy Point and Rotary Riverfront Park are your best bets.
Distance to SLC-41 from Kennedy Point Park
Local recommendations also say the Cafe Paradiso and Ven pa’ Ca Café are excellent choices for before, after and even during launches. Grab a bite to eat, walk over to the Indian River and watch the launch.
Distance to SLC-41 from the Banana River Bridge on FL 528 W
Starlink 6-74’s flight path, as seen from KARS Park on Merritt Island Photo: Chris Leymarie / Florida Media Now
SpaceX launched their 49th mission of 2025 this evening from Cape Canaveral when the company sent the Starlink 6-74 mission to low Earth orbit aboard Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 9:52 PM EDT, right at the opening of the launch window.
After staging, Booster B1069 concluded its shift for the evening when it touched down on ASDS ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’, SpaceX’s automated drone ship. This was the booster’s 23rd flight, making it one of the greybeards in SpaceX’s fleet.
SpaceX provided this closeup of liftoff.
At 10:53 PM ET, SpaceX announced successful payload deployment, completing another successful mission for the company. This was their 475th mission.
Payload
28 Starlink satellites.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Another group of Starlink satellites are scheduled to launch NET Sunday evening:
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-23 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-23
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
Window Opens
Sunday, 04/27/2025 10:04:00 PM EDT
Window Closes
Monday, 04/28/2025 2:04:00 AM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
The FAA has announced that the public meeting for the SpaceX SLC-40 Enviromental Assessment that was originally scheduled for April 16th has been rescheduled to May 8, 2025. The original meeting was postponed due to a nationwide Zoom outage on that date earlier this month. Additionally, the public comment period has also been extended to May 15th.
For a summary and links to all original documents, please click here:
The FAA previously issued a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing SpaceX’s proposal to increase Falcon 9 operations from 50 up to 120 per year from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The draft EA also reviews the construction of a first-stage booster landing zone at the site with up to 34 landings per year.
Due to technical difficulties associated with the nationwide Zoom platform outage, the virtual public meeting scheduled for April 16, 2025, was cancelled. The new meeting date is scheduled for May 8, 2025. In addition, the public comment period is extended and will close on May 15, 2025.
Registration is required to join the virtual public meeting. Those who registered for the cancelled meeting must re-register.
Summer thunderstorms have yet to arrive on the Space Coast this year, but there were rumbles and roars a-plenty yesterday on the Eastern Range. First, in the wee hours, SpaceX launched CRS-32 from KSC, and its booster landed at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Then, after sunset, the company completed another RTLS Falcon 9 launch, this time from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 8:48 PM ET.
Eight minutes and seven seconds after liftoff, Booster B1090 completed its third flight successfully at Landing Zone 2 on the site of the former Launch Complex 13.
Timelapse of SpaceX Falcon 9 Bandwagon 3 flight. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Summer thunderstorms have yet to arrive on the Space Coast this year, but there were rumbles and roars a-plenty yesterday on the Eastern Range. First, in the wee hours, SpaceX launched CRS-32 from KSC, and its booster landed at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Then, after sunset, the company completed another RTLS Falcon 9 launch, this time from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 8:48 PM ET.
Eight minutes and seven seconds after liftoff, Booster B1090 completed its third flight successfully at Landing Zone 2 on the site of the former Launch Complex 13.
Payloads
Among the payloads that were launched last night were some interesting spacecraft:
425Sat-3: Enhancing South Korea’s Reconnaissance Capabilities
425Sat-3, as part of the 425 Project, was among the payloads lofted by Bandwagon-3. This initiative aims to establish a constellation of five satellites—four equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and one with Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors—to bolster surveillance over North Korea. T
The SAR satellites, developed by a consortium including Korean Aerospace Industries, Hanwha Systems, and Thales Alenia Space, provide all-weather, day-and-night imaging capabilities. Once fully operational, the constellation will enable monitoring of the Korean Peninsula at two-hour intervals, enhancing South Korea’s independent intelligence-gathering capacity, a vital national interest item.
Tomorrow-S7, launched by Tomorrow.io, represents a significant step in commercial weather observation. As part of a planned 30-satellite constellation, Tomorrow-S7 is equipped with advanced radar and microwave sounder instruments designed to deliver precise, hyperlocal weather data. This satellite aims to improve forecasting accuracy for both commercial and governmental applications, particularly in regions lacking comprehensive weather monitoring infrastructure.
PHOENIX-1: Testing Innovative Reentry Technology
PHOENIX-1, developed by Germany’s Atmos Space Cargo, is a prototype reentry capsule launched to test new technologies for returning cargo from Low Earth Orbit. The capsule features an inflatable heat shield, which deploys during reentry to slow the spacecraft without the need for parachutes.
During its mission, PHOENIX-1 carried four payloads, including biological and technological experiments. The data collected will inform the development of future reusable cargo return systems, with the goal of providing efficient and cost-effective solutions for transporting materials from space.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Lather, rinse, repeat. It may as well be SpaceX’s corporate motto, because they launch so regularly, especially in regards to their Starlink constellation. The company plans to launch another set of satellites for Group 6 NET Thursday, April 24, 2025:
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-74 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-74
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
Window Opens
Thursday, 04/24/2025 9:32:00 PM EDT
Window Closes
Friday, 04/25/2025 2:39:00 AM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
SpaceX and NASA launched the CRS-32 mission early Monday morning from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. After an apparently event-free countdown, liftoff was at 04:15:34 AM ET. About 7.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster used for the flight returned to land at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Falcon 9 lifts off at 04:15 AM, April 21, 2025 to start the CRS-32 mission to ISS. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
SpaceX and NASA launched the CRS-32 mission early Monday morning from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. After an apparently event-free countdown, liftoff was at 04:15:34 AM ET. About 7.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster used for the flight returned to land at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Shortly after reaching its initial orbit Cargo Dragon successfully separated from its launch vehicle and is now targeted to dock at the International Space Station on Tuesday, April 22, around 8:20 AM. ET.
Spectators and Space Coast residents won’t have to wait long for the next launch and also the next RTLS (Return To Launch Site) mission: tonight (Monday, April 21) SpaceX is planning to launch the Bandwagon 3 mission from Cape Canaveral.
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Bandwagon-3 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Bandwagon-3
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
Go for Launch
Status Info
Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens
Monday, 04/21/2025 8:43:00 PM EDT
Window Closes
Monday, 04/21/2025 9:23:00 PM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
Dedicated rideshare flight to a mid-inclination orbit with dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers. The mission includes payloads such as the PHOENIX re-entry capsule, 425Sat-3, and Tomorrow-S7. The Falcon 9 first stage booster B1090 will be making its third flight and is scheduled to land back at Landing Zone 2 (LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. A sonic boom is likely to occur a few minutes after launch as the booster returns to the launch site. Be prepared for a loud but thrilling experience!
Through the mangroves, the flight of Falcon 9 as a timelapse. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of TitusvilleAfter separating from the second stage, Falcon 9’s booster put on a show. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Overnight tonight, SpaceX and NASA will launch Falcon 9 with a Cargo Dragon bound for the International Space Station. Along with the foodstuffs and normal cargo aboard CRS-32, there are also some thirty experiments that astronauts will conduct aboard the ISS-NL orbiting outpost. One of them will test Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
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