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
The FAA has announced that the public meeting set for tonight that was to discuss draft results of an Environmental Assessment concerning Space Launch Complex 40 has been canceled.
Due to the nationwide Zoom outage, the April 16, 2025, SpaceX Falcon 9 Operations at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Environmental Assessment in Cape Canaveral, Florida virtual public meeting is cancelled. The meeting will be rescheduled.
Additional information will be provided on the project website soon:
The FAA SpaceX Falcon 9 Operations at SLC-40 Project Team
At the time of this writing (6:15PM April 16) Zoom is operating sporadically and had a widespread national outage of about two hours today. Given that the service is likely still recovering from the interruption, it seems a prudent course to make sure everyone who would like to attend the meeting may do so.
The meeting concerned plans for the relocation of landing zones for Falcon 9 from the current location at SLC-13 to near SLC-40, as well as more than doubling the allowable launch operations at SLC-40 starting in 2026. Up to 34 first-stage booster landings at the new landing zone annually is planned, as well as additional launches and static fires at the launch pad as well.
As the FAA states, the meeting will be rescheduled for a future date.
Talk of Titusville strongly encourages all interested citizens to learn what is planned and to make their voices heard to the FAA and others if they wish to participate in the public comment process. Follow the FAA link above for the latest official information.
On March 14, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) unveiled a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) SpaceX’s proposal to increase the number of launch as well as relocating Falcon landing zones to Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) within Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The FAA is now seeking your input, which you can do online or by attending a virtual public meeting next week on April 16, 2025. Information is below.
The following changes are planned. Keep in mind that the proposal is for SLC-40 only and does not affect the company’s plans or activities at nearby LC-39A.
Planned Changes at SLC-40. Graphic via FAA EA
The proposed landing site locations are below. Click on each one to enlarge:
EA Draft Findings
In a nutshell, the FAA found
The FAA is posting for public review a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing the SpaceX proposal to increase Falcon 9 operations from 50 to 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.
In order to meet the Department of the Air Force (DAF) National Environmental Policy Act requirements, the FAA has also posted a link to the Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for public comment on behalf of DAF.
A virtual public meeting will be held on April 16 and the public comment period closes on April 24, 2025.
The FAA
Solicitation For Public Comment
The FAA invites interested parties to submit comments on the Draft EA. Instructions on how to submit comments can be found on the FAA webpage linked here:
To further engage stakeholders, the FAA has scheduled a virtual public meeting on April 16, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Participants are required to register in advance to attend. Registration can be completed at:
If any accommodation for public meeting is needed (such as additional translation services), please submit a request by April 11, 2025 to SpaceXFalconSLC40@icf.com
File photo of a Falcon 9 flight from LC-39A Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
United Launch Alliance’s Kuiper KA-01 mission was scrubbed last night due to persistent high winds and offshore showers. SpaceX has the range scheduled for a Starlink launch from KSC this evening, so ULA will be pushed back to at least Monday.
According to ULA CEO Tory Bruno on X.com, “Mighty Atlas’ count was very clean. Unfortunately, weather stayed rough. [We] appreciate support from the USSF Weather team.”
The Monday date is pending Eastern Range approval, among others, and may shift. As always, stay tuned.
Starlink 12-17
SpaceX is planning to launch another set of Starlink satellites to orbit from pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center this evening. The launch window opens at 9:54 PM ET and extends to 1:43 AM Friday morning. According to SpaceX, “If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Friday, April 11 starting at 9:15 p.m. ET.”
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-17 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-17
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Launch Complex 39A
Status
Go for Launch
Status Info
Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens
Thursday, 04/10/2025 9:54:40 PM EDT
Window Closes
Friday, 04/11/2025 1:43:00 AM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of 21 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation—SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
After concluding its duty powering the payload towards orbit, the first stage booster, B1083, 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.
Weather looks good, with only a 5% chance of a weather-related range violation. That said, it should be a beautiful evening to go to space.
This will be the 10th flight of B1083. Previously, it has launched Crew-8, Polaris Dawn, CRS-31, Astranis: From One to Many, IM-2, and four Starlink missions.
The trajectory is southeast, and Starlink 12-17 will pass just east of The Bahamas on its way to orbit.
ULA Atlas V Kuiper KA-01 Now Slated For Monday
Due to the SpaceX launch, this evening is not an option for United Launch Alliance to fly Atlas V and the Kuiper KA-01 mission. At this point in time, secondary sources (FAA, etc) are pointing to an attempt this coming Monday, April 14th.
Atlas V 551 | Project Kuiper (KA-01) Mission Details
Mission
Atlas V 551 | Project Kuiper (KA-01)
Organization
United Launch Alliance
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Atlas V 551
Pad
Space Launch Complex 41
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation—current date is known with some certainty.
Window Opens
Monday, 04/14/2025 7:00:00 PM EDT
Window Closes
Monday, 04/14/2025 11:34:00 PM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access. This constellation will be managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. It is planned to be composed of 3,276 satellites, projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes across three orbital layers at altitudes of 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km.
Keep in mind that is not official, and it could easily change. Stay tuned for any schedule shifts.
Atlas V in flight. Unlike a SpaceX Falcon 9, Atlas V leaves a contrail from liftoff to solid rocket booster separation. File photo. Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
UPDATE: the launch was scrubbed due to offshore weather and also heavy winds throughout the launch window. The next attempt is penciled in for Monday, April 14, between 7:00PM and 11:34 PM EDT.
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 45% on Wednesday April 9, with chances dropping drastically to only a 10% chance of weather being an issue on Thursday.
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.
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
SpaceX launched their 41st mission of 2025 this evening from Cape Canaveral when the company sent the Starlink 6-78 mission to low Earth orbit aboard Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 11:07 PM EDT and into clear but hazy skies skies on a seasonal night here on the Space Coast.
A vapor cone surrounds Falcon 9. File photo. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
SpaceX is planning to launch another group of Starlink satellites from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station today, weather permitting. The launch window opens at 3:16 PM ET and extends to 7:45 PM early this evening. According to SpaceX, if the mission does not launch today, then “If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, March 31 starting at 2:57 p.m. ET.”
Booster B1080 will power the rocket off of the pad, and will be flying its 17th mission. B1080 has previously flown Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, SES ASTRA 1P, NG-21, and 10 Starlink missions. After stage separation, it will land on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ located offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.
At A Glance
Organization: SpaceX
Location: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket: Falcon 9
Pad: Space Launch Complex 40
Status: Go for Launch
Status Info: Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens: Sunday, 03/30/2025 3:16:00 PM
Window Closes: Sunday, 03/30/2025 7:45:00 PM
Destination: Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description: A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
There is no forecast available from the 45th Weather Squadron for today’s launch at the time of this writing. The National Weather Service general forecast calls for a 50% chance of showers through the forecast period with light winds, so 50/50 sounds like a good guess.
Since those storms may carry electrical activity and/or potential, the lightning, anvil cloud, heavy cloud cover and other launch criteria may apply, but with no official Launch Mission Execution Forecast available, it is impossible to say.
Trajectory
Southeast, towards The Bahamas.
Online Viewing
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 6-80 Mission Page. 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
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: Northern Titusville parks on Washington Avenu / US-1 are your best bets: Space View Park, Sands Park, Rotary Riverfront 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.
Liftoff of NROL 69 on March 24, 2025. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
SpaceX launched Falcon 9 carrying the classified NROL-69 “Hummingbird” payload this afternoon from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 1:48 PM ET under sunny, hazy skies.
Some eight minutes and twenty-two seconds later, Booster B1092 finished its shift by returning to base at Landing Zone 1, a mere 5.6 miles away from the launch pad. A sonic boom heralded its arrival to the Space Coast.
Ascent: Falcon 9 passes the speed of sound as it ascends on March 24. 2025 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Despite the 45th Weather Squadron forecasting 90% GO conditions yesterday, today’s launch seemed to be on the edge of acceptable launch conditions, as several times SpaceX commentators mentioned that the company was keeping an eye on the skies. Fortunately, the weather held, and the rocket flew on time at the start of the launch window.
Given that the payload is classified, information about this flight, such as the destination orbit, was not given. “Up there, thataway” is as accurate as any other unofficial description.
Payload
It’s classified. Those that know aren’t saying, and those that are saying don’t know.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
A Starlink launch is on the dock, this time Group 6-80 from SLC-40 at CCSFS.
Mission
Starlink Group 6-80
Launch Window Opens
Sunday, March 30, 2025, 3:16 PM EDT
Launch Window Closes
Sunday, March 30, 2025, 7:45 PM EDT
Organization
SpaceX
Launch Site
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Space Launch Complex 40
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Status
Awaiting Confirmation
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
Deployment of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
Falcon 9 Descending: Booster B1092 nears its landing and a successful conclusion to its second mission. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
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