SLC-40

SpaceX Falcon 9 IM-2 liftoff
SpaceX Falcon 9 IM-2 lifts off from LC-39A at 7:16 PM
SpaceX Falcon 9 IM-2 lifts off from LC-39A at 7:16 PM in the first of two evening launches.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

SpaceX launched twice from the Cape Wednesday night, as a Falcon 9 carrying Intuitive Machines second lunar lander lifted off at 7:16 PM from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center, and three hours and eight minutes later, the company launched another Falcon 9 on the Starlink 12-13 mission.

Both launches were successful.

IM-2 Launch

The Nova-C lunar lander “Athena”, developed by Intuitive Machines, is embarking on its second mission. This mission includes NASA’s PRIME-1 (Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1), marking the first demonstration of in-situ resource utilization on the Moon. PRIME-1 comprises two key instruments: the TRIDENT drill, designed to extract lunar ice, and the MSolo mass spectrometer, which will analyze the extracted material.

Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, in the company's Lunar Production and Operations Center. Photo courtesy Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, in the company’s Lunar Production and Operations Center. Photo courtesy Intuitive Machines

Additionally, several other spacecraft are on board:

  • Lunar Trailblazer, a small-class (D) lunar orbiter under NASA’s SIMPLEx program, is tasked with detecting and mapping water on the Moon’s surface. By analyzing the form, abundance, and distribution of lunar water in relation to geological features, it aims to enhance our understanding of the Moon’s water cycle.
  • Odin, a spacecraft developed by AstroForge, a company focused on asteroid mining, is set to venture into deep space. Its mission is to observe near-Earth asteroid 2022 OB5 from a distance of approximately one kilometer, providing critical data for AstroForge’s first asteroid retrieval mission. The flyby is expected to take place 11 months after launch.
  • CHIMERA GEO 1, a transfer spacecraft by Epic Aerospace, is designed to transport payloads into geostationary orbit. On this mission, it carries an unidentified 16U cubesat, manifested by Exolaunch, with the objective of securing an orbital position.

This mission represents a another step in lunar exploration and resource utilization, advancing scientific and commercial ambitions. The Artemis program will be a major beneficiary of IM-2, and if Astroforge is successful on the Odin mission, a new frontier for raw materials and resources may be kicked off. As for Chimera GEO 1, a successful mission will position Epic Aerospace as a viable vendor for satellite delivery to high orbits.

Liftoff of Space Falcon 9 and IM-2 on February 26, 2025.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Starlink 12-13

Timelapse of Starlink 12-13.
Photo: Chris Leymarie, Florida Media Now

At 10:34 PM EST and 7.5 miles away on Space Launch Complex 40, SpaceX launched for the second time of the day when Falcon 9 launched another batch of 21 satellites for its Starlink mega-constellation.

With over 7,000 satellites in orbit and customers in over one hundred countries, Starlink has been growing rapidly as it provides broadband Internet access to early five million users.

Launch Replay

IM-2

Starlink 12-13

Next Launch

On Saturday, March 1st, SpaceX plans to launch Falcon 9 and Starlink 12-20 mission from SLC-40 down the Bimini Highway — southeastwards towards The Bahamas. This mission will be a near carbon copy of tonight’s Starlink launch.

  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Location: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Pad: Space Launch Complex 40
  • Window Opens: Saturday, 03/01/2025 8:57:00 PM EST
  • Window Closes: Sunday, 03/02/2025 1:28:00 AM EST
  • Destination: Low Earth Orbit
  • Mission Description: Another batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
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Booster B1067 lifts off on September 18, 2024 with Galileo FM26 and FM32 for ESA Photo: Derek Newsome
Booster B1067 lifts off on September 18, 2024 with Galileo FM26 and FM32 for ESA Photo: Derek Newsome
Booster B1067 lifts off on September 18, 2024 with Galileo FM26 and FM32 for ESA
Photo: Derek Newsome

Tomorrow morning, SpaceX plans to launch Starlink 12-8 to low-Earth orbit. The flight has one remarkable aspect: the flight will be the 26th for the company’s Booster B1067. Liftoff is planned for no earlier than 01:14:10 AM EST from Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral. Around eight minutes after liftoff, B1067 is planned to land on ASDS ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’, which is stationed offshore close to The Bahamas.

The All-Time Champion Of Booster Reusability

B1067 has played a significant role in advancing reusable rocket technology since its inaugural flight in June 2021. Like other boosters in the Falcon 9 Block 5 series, B1067 was engineered for rapid turnaround and multiple reuses, aligning with SpaceX’s goal of reducing the costs associated with space exploration.

B1067’s maiden voyage occurred on June 3, 2021, during the CRS-22 mission, which delivered supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). Following this successful debut, the booster supported several key missions, including:

SpaceX Booster B1067 prior to its 22nd flight
SpaceX Booster B1067 prior to its 22nd flight in September 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
  • Crew-3 (November 11, 2021): Transported astronauts to the ISS.
  • Türksat 5B (December 19, 2021): Deployed a Turkish communications satellite into geostationary transfer orbit.
  • Crew-4 (April 27, 2022): Facilitated another crewed mission to the ISS.
  • CRS-25 (July 15, 2022): Conducted a resupply mission to the ISS.
  • Galileo FM26 / FM32: launched two navigation satellites for the European Space Agency

In addition to these missions, B1067 has flown numerous batches of Starlink satellites, contributing to SpaceX’s expanding satellite internet constellation, which now boosts about five million subscribers in over 200 countries worldwide.

In January 10, 2025, B1067 completed its 25th flight during the Starlink 12-12 mission, setting a new benchmark for booster reusability. Tonight, 37 days after that flight, B1067 is slated to break its own record.

Payload

21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities. SpaceX has around 7,000 Starlink satellites in orbit already, with plans to have up to 42,000 at some point in the future.

Starlink satellites are space debris neutral, meaning after their operational life is concluded, the company de-orbits a given satellite, with almost no portions reaching the ground.

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45 of the US Space Force has issued a Launch Mission Execution forecast: 80% GO through the launch window. Their only concerns are clouds and winds.

Via the 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45. Retrieved 14 February 2025 at 0800 ET

Trajectory

As it has been with previous Group 12 Starlink launches, Falcon 9 will fly southeast from Cape Canaveral.

Online Viewing

SpaceX’s live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff. You can view that on the X platform (@SpaceX).

Spaceflight Now will begin their webcast about an hour prior to liftoff. They are an invaluable resource for anyone planning to watch the launch in person, as they will offer the latest information on the countdown as it proceeds.

Booster B1067 lifts of carrying the Satria payload on June 18, 2023. Photo: Derek Newsome
Booster B1067 lifts of carrying the Satria payload on June 18, 2023.
Photo: Derek Newsome
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Starlink 12-18 liftoff
Starlink 12-18 launches from Cape Canaveral. Photo by Ed Cordero / Florida Media Now
Starlink 12-18 launches from Cape Canaveral. Photo by Ed Cordero / Florida Media Now

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral today, and added another 21 satellites to their Starlink constellation. Liftoff was at 1:53 PM EST. Today’s mission was dubbed Starlink 12-18 publicly, and F9-436 internally at SpaceX.

It was the 18th successful mission for the Falcon 9 Booster B1077, which entered service in 2022 when it debuted carrying astronauts on the Crew-5 mission for NASA. Since then B2077 has lifted Crew-5, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, TD-7, Immarsat I6-F2, GPS III-6, NG-20, and now 11 Starlink missions.

Around eight minutes after liftoff, B1077 touched down offshore near The Bahamas aboard ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’. JRTI and B1077 will return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s facilities at the Cape to be refurbished and prepared for its next flight. Today’s landing was the 413th Falcon family booster landing, and the 108th landing on JRTI.

Payload

Starlink satellites are part of SpaceX’s initiative to create a global broadband internet network. Some key facts:

  1. Design: Starlink satellites are flat-panel devices equipped with multiple high-throughput antennas and solar panels. The design allows them to be launched in bulk.
  2. Orbit: They operate in low Earth orbit (LEO) at altitudes ranging from approximately 340 km to 1,200 km. This lowers latency compared to traditional satellites in geostationary orbit.
  3. Constellation: SpaceX has deployed thousands of satellite to date, creating a constellation that can provide extensive coverage and capacity across the globe.
  4. Communication: They use advanced phased-array technology for beam forming, allowing for high-speed data transmission to ground stations and user terminals.
  5. User Service: Customers use a Starlink dish (known as a user terminal) to connect to the network, which communicates with the satellites overhead.
  6. Launch: Starlink missions typically involve launching groups of satellites aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets.

Overall, Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency internet access, especially in rural and underserved areas to nearly five million customers in over 200 countries.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

Another Group 12 Starlink launch, this time in the wee hours of night:

  • Date: NET February 16, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 12-8
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 12:00 – 03:59 AM EST
  • Payload: More satellites for Group 12 of SpaceX’s Starlink constellation.
Starlink 12-18 in flight. Photo: Ed Cordero, Florida Media Now
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Timelapse of Starlink 12-9 flight. Photo: SpaceX
A timelapse of Falcon 9’s ascent Saturday February 8
Photo: SpaceX

Lather, rinse repeat: SpaceX successfully launched another tranche of Starlink satellites Saturday afternoon from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. The mission, dubbed Starlink 12-9, lifted off at 2:18 PM into bluebird skies.

SpaceX Falcon 9 and Starlink 12-9 lift off on February 8, 2025. Photo: SpaceX
Starlink 12-9 liftoff on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Photo: SpaceX

The flight plan was a familiar one: southeast, towards The Bahamas on a path some locals have dubbed “The Bimini Highway.” Booster B1078 completed its 17th mission when it touched down successfully aboard ASDS ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’, which was stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean, and both will now return to Port Canaveral so the booster can be offloaded, returned to SpaceX’s facilities and refurbished for its next flight.

Around the time that the first stage was touching down, the second stage and the Starlink payload was reaching orbit. After a quick rounding burn roughly one hour after launch, the satellites were deployed and the mission concluded successfully.

This was the 434th mission for Falcon 9, and the 1002nd orbital launch from venerable Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

A near-mimeograph of today’s launch NET Tuesday, February 11:

  • Date: NET February 11, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 12-18
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 12:00 – 4:43 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites
  • Destination: Low-Earth Orbit

Keep in mind that launch dates and times can and do change often, so be sure to check Talk of Titusville’s Launch Calendar for updates.

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The view from SpaceX’s pad-side livestream camera at liftoff shows how foggy it was at the launch pad this morning. Photo: SpaceX via X.com

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 carrying 21 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission, dubbed Starlink 12-3, lifted off at 5:15 AM into nearly opaque fog in the launch area.

It was the 21st successful mission for the Falcon 9 Booster B1069, which entered service in 2021 when it debuted carrying the CRS-24 mission for NASA. Since then it has lofted Hotbird 13F, OneWeb 15, SES 18&19, and now 17 Starlink missions.

At At 6:20 AM, SpaceX confirmed deployment of the satellites, making a successful conclusion to the company’s busy day.

Launch Replay

Payload

21 Starlink Mini v2 satellites, which will join Group 12 of Starlink’s orbital Internet connectivity constellation. Currently, there are roughly 7,000 operational Starlink satellites in orbit, according to Dr. Jonathon McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Starlink Mini v2 satellites being deployed. This photo was provided by SpaceX last year and was not from today’s mission.
Photo: SpaceX

Next Launch

SpaceX plans to launch t from Launch the Maxar 4 mission from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

  • Date: NET February 4, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Maxar 3 / WorldView Legion 5/6
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
  • Launch Window: 6:07 – 7:07 PM EST
  • Payload: WorldView Legion is a constellation of Earth observation satellites built and operated by Maxar. Constellation is planned to consist of 6 satellites in both polar and mid-inclination orbits, providing 30 cm-class resolution.
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On a crystal clear night, the rise of Falcon 9 and SpainSat NG I was visible across Florida. Florida Media Now's Ed Cordero captured this timelapse from Orlando. Photo: Ed Cordero FMN
On a crystal clear night, the rise of Falcon 9 and SpainSat NG I was visible across Florida. Florida Media Now's Ed Cordero captured this timelapse from Orlando.
On a crystal clear night, the rise of Falcon 9 and SpainSat NG I was visible across Florida. Florida Media Now’s Ed Cordero captured this timelapse from Orlando.
Photo: Ed Cordero FMN

SpaceX launched SpainSat NG-I aboard Falcon 9 this evening from Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was right at the opening of the launch window at 8:34 PM EST, and into crystalline winter skies over Florida.

Tonight was a rare expendable mission, meaning no attempt to land booster B1073 was made after it had completed its part of the mission at two minutes and forty seconds after liftoff. That was due to additional performance required to deliver this payload to orbit, and is part of the normal Falcon 9 product catalog.

After 21 successful flights, booster B1073 now sleeps with the fishes offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.

At precisely eight minutes after liftoff, Falcon 9’s second stage and the SpainSat payload were in their initial orbit, one which would be rounded slightly after just a bit more than twenty six and a half minutes by a one minute six second burn. From there, SpaceX deployed SpainSat NG I, concluding another successful mission for the company.

SpainSat NG I will now travel under its own power to its operational orbital position.

Payload

Airbus and Thales Alenia Space built SpainSat NG I for Hisdesat Servicios Estratégicos S.A., the Spanish Governmental Satellite Operator.

Airbus, one of the four co-Prime contractors that built SpainSat NG-I described the satellite said:

“SPAINSAT NG will provide coverage on a wide area of the world ranging from the United States and South America to the Middle East, including Africa and Europe and till Singapore in Asia. Both satellites will allow to:

•  Ensure effective command and control for beyond line-of-sight operations in 2/3 of the Earth.

• Guarantee communication capability in theatres of operation lacking communications infrastructure.

• Develop more satcom on the move, higher capacity, better secured and assured communications.

• Unlock the potential of the network centric battlespace-netcentric warfare and operations.

The communication payloads of both satellites will be provided by the Spanish industry, including the integration of the Communications Module in Spain, a major step forward for the Spanish industry. Airbus in Spain will be responsible for the X band payload, while Thales Alenia Space in Spain will be responsible for the UHF and mil-Ka band payloads. Other companies from the Spanish space industry will also be involved.

A time-lapse of Falcon 9’s flight as seen from Banana River near Cocoa Beach
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Next Launch

SpaceX returns to Starlink launches early on Monday morning when it plans to launch more Starlink Group 12 satellites.

  • Date: NET February 3, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink Group 12-3
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 3:54 AM – 8:25 AM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites
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Falcon 9 lifts off LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on December 5, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

After a rare lull in launch activities from the Cape, business will be picking up this week. SpaceX is planning to launch Starlink 12-7 from Space Launch Complex later this afternoon, and Wednesday evening, the company plans to launch the SpainSat NG I mission from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Both of the company’s flights will be aboard Falcon 9.

Starlink 12-7

  • Date: NET January 27, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 12-7
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 3:22 – 6:21 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites
  • Destination: Low-Earth Orbit
A Starlink launch
Falcon 9 carrying a batch of Starlink satellites lifts off from SLC-40 in 2024.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Weather

Trajectory

Southeastward, or left to right if you are facing the ocean in Titusville.

SpainSat NG-1

  • Date: NET January 29, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: SpainSat NG-1
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
  • Launch Window: 8:34 – 10:34 PM EST
  • Payload: Two government-owned telecommunications satellites for the Spanish government and their designees.
  • Destination: MEO
Falcon 9 lifts off.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron has not released a Mission Execution forecast for this launch at the time of this writing.

Trajectory

As always, keep in mind that launch dates and times are subject to cancellations, moves and time shifts.

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SpaceX Landing Zone 1

In a long expected move, documents showing that SpaceX is planning to shift operations away from Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral’s Space Force Station’s old LC-13 to an area just east of the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 40 have been filed.

A recently released Master Drainage Plan Modification plat shows the location of the new landing zone for Falcon 9 landings.

LZ-1 and LZ-2 (as they are colloquially known in the spaceflight community) are on the site of the former Launch Complex 13 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

LC-13 was constructed in 1956 used for test launches and operational Atlas launches from 1958 to 1978, when it was shuttered. The Mobile Service Tower was demolished by a controlled explosion in 2005 for safety reasons, and the blockhouse there was demolished in 2012.

A person standing in the middle of the main landing pad at LZ-1 shows its size.
Photo: SpaceX

Two New Landing Pads?

Also in the works, SpaceX is planning to build a landing zone aside its launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, but current conventional wisdom assumes this will be for SpaceX’s future Starship operations.

LC-13 History

LC-13 was originally used for operational and test launches of the Atlas ICBM, and Atlas B, D, E and F missiles were also test launched from there. It was the most-used and longest-serving of the original four Atlas pads.

  • April 1956 – LC-13 construction started
  • 14 April 1958 – Air Force accepted the launch complex
  • 2 August 1958 – First of two Atlas B launches
  • 14 April 1959 – 11 March 1960 – Thirteen Atlas D launches
  • 15 February 1960 – Atlas Able exploded during static firing
  • 11 October 1960 – 13 February 1962 – Fourteen Atlas E launches
  • 10 November 1961 – Monkey “Goliath” launched on Atlas E; mission failed
  • 9 August 1961 – One Atlas F launched
  • 1962-1963 – Pad converted into an Atlas Agena D complex for space launches. The A-frame Mobile Service Tower was demolished and a new larger, square-shaped structure was built.
  • 17 October 1963 – 20 July 1965 – Three VELA launches (two satellites each)
  • 5 November 1964 – NASA Mariner 3 mission launched by an Atlas Agena
  • 1966 – Launch complex turned over to NASA for civilian Atlas Agena D launches
  • 6 November 1966 – 4 March 1968 – Six NASA Atlas Agena D launched; five Lunar Orbiter and one Orbiting Geophysical Observatory E
  • March 1968 – Returned to Air Force
  • 6 August 1968 – 7 April 1978 – Eleven classified Atlas Agena D launches for the Air Force
  • 7 April 1978 – Launch complex deactivated after the last launch. Supported 51 Atlas and Atlas Agena launches
  • 6 August 2005 – Mobile Service Tower came down by a controlled explosion
  • June 2012 – Blockhouse demolished
  • February 2015 – Site leased by SpaceX to be used as a landing platform for the Falcon9 1st stage
  • Site renamed Landing Zone One (LZ-1)
  • 21 December 2015 B1019 touched down during Falcon 9 flight 20
  • 6 February 2018 Two booster touch down at LZ-1 and LZ-2 during Falcon Heavy Flight Test

    Source: Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum
Atlas Agena D with Mariner 3 on the launchpad, at Cape Canaveral. Photo: NASA
Atlas Agena D with Mariner 3 on the launchpad, at Cape Canaveral’s LC-13
Photo: NASA
August 2005 – Mobile Service Tower was demolished by a controlled explosion. US Air Force  ID 050809-F-0000X-012
August 2005 – Mobile Service Tower was demolished by a controlled explosion at LC-13
US Air Force  ID 050809-F-0000X-012
SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster B1019 touched down at LZ-1 during flight 20 to become the first successfully returned orbital booster. Photo: SpaceX
SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster B1019 touched down at LZ-1 during flight 20 to become the first successfully returned orbital booster.
Photo: SpaceX
Two booster touch down at LZ-1 and LZ-2 during Falcon Heavy Flight Test on 6 February 2018. Photo: SpaceX
Two booster touch down at LZ-1 and LZ-2 during Falcon Heavy Flight Test on 6 February 2018.
Photo: SpaceX

LC-13’s Future

In 2023, the 2-pad launch site has been allocated to Cocoa, Florida based Vaya Space and also Phantom Space through the Department of the Air Force’s Launch Pad Allocation Strategy (LPAS), a program designed to support the commercial space market and demand at the Eastern Range.

At the time, Kevin Lowdermilk, CEO of Vaya Space said, “We are proud to be selected as one of the four companies in the first round of the Launch Pad Allocation Strategy by the Space Force and we truly appreciate their support of commercial space launch. We are pleased to call SLC-13 home.”

Rendering of the Vaya Dauntless rocket. Graphic: Vaya Space
Rendering of the Vaya Dauntless rocket.
Graphic: Vaya Space

“Launching from SLC-13 gives Vaya Space a long-term home on the Eastern Range to support our customers’ launch needs,” added Rob Fabian, COO of Vaya Space. “We’re looking forward to many launches from there alongside our friends from Phantom Space. It’s encouraging to see a new generation of commercial space launch vehicles rise up in the footprints of the old Atlas launch vehicles the site was built to launch.”

Vaya is producing the Dauntless rocket, which is propelled by solid rocket fuel. That fuel is produced from 99% recycled post-industrial thermoplastic, and the Dauntless rocket will utilize more than 7.8 metric tons per launch. Vaya states that the spent fuel exhaust will safely break it down into non-toxic byproducts.

Timing

At this point in time, the dates for the approval, construction and eventual move of SpaceX landing operations to the new landing pad are not known.

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Starlink 12-12 in flight
Falcon 9 / Starlink 12-12 in flight over Florida today. Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
Falcon 9 / Starlink 12-12 in flight over Florida today.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit today from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 2:11 PM ET (1911 UTC) after several pushbacks in the window, presumably due to windy weather.

Today’s launch was the 997th orbital launch from Cape Canaveral.

Visitors watch the launch from Scobie Park in Downtown Titusville as SpaceX launches Starlink 12-12 into orbit from SLC-40 at 2:11pm after a delay from this morning’s scheduled launch time.
Photo: Michael Lynch, Talk of Titusville

The flight was nominal, and Booster B1067, the most experienced booster in SpaceX’s fleet, completed its 25th successful mission when it touched down offshore near The Bahamas on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions.’

Around 8.2 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1077 successfully completed its 17th mission when it touched down offshore on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, which was positioned offshore near The Bahamas. Previously, B1067 launched previously CRS-22, CRS-25, Crew-3, Crew-4, TelkomSat-113BT, Turksat-5B, Koreasat-6A, Eutelsat HOTBIRD-F2, Galileo L13, mPOWER-A, PSN MFS, and 13 Starlink missions.

JRTI will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center for inspection and any needed refurbishment prior to its next flight.

At 8:11 into flight, Falcon 9’s second stage and the Starlink payload achieved their initial elliptical orbit.

Launch Replay

Payload

24 Starlink Mini v2 satellites, which will join Group 6 of Starlink’s orbital Internet connectivity constellation. Currently, there are over 6,900 Starlink satellites in orbit, according to Dr. Jonathon McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Starlink Mini v2 satellites being deployed. This photo was provided by SpaceX last year and was not from today’s mission.
Photo: SpaceX

Next Launch

If — and it is a big if — seas calm down offshore in the Atlantic, Blue Origin will attempt the maiden voyage of its New Glenn rocket.

  • Date: NET January 13, 2025
  • Organization: Blue Origin
  • Mission: NG-1
  • Rocket: New Glenn
  • Launch Site: LC-36, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 01:00 – 04:00 EST (0600-0900 UTC)
  • Payload: Blue Ring Pathfinder
Read more

Starlink 6-71 ascending towards orbit on January 6, 2024
Photo: Ed Cordero / Florida Media Now

SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit today from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 3:43 PM ET (2043 UTC) after several pushbacks in the window, presumably due to windy weather from an approaching cold front expected to arrive this evening on the Space Coast.

Around 8.2 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1077 successfully completed its 17th mission when it touched down offshore on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, which was positioned offshore near The Bahamas. Previously, previously launched Crew-5, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, Optus-X, Immarsat I6-F2, GPS III-6, NG-20, and nine Starlink missions. 

JRTI will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility for inspection and any needed refurbishment prior to its next flight.

Spectators watch the liftoff of Falcon 9 from Titusville.
Photo: Michael Lynch / Talk of Titusville

At 8:39 into flight, Falcon 9’s second stage and the Starlink payload achieved their initial elliptical orbit, which was rounded by a short second burn at the 54:03 mark of the mission. Payload deployment was one hour, five minutes and twelve seconds after liftoff, marking a successful end to SpaceX’s second mission in 2025 from the Eastern Range.

Payload

24 Starlink Mini v2 satellites, which will join Group 6 of Starlink’s orbital Internet connectivity constellation. Currently, there are over 6,900 Starlink satellites in orbit, according to Dr. Jonathon McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Starlink Mini v2 satellites being deployed. This photo was provided by SpaceX last year and was not from today’s mission.
Photo: SpaceX

Launch Replay

Next Launch

SpaceX plans to launch Starlink 12-11 from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

  • Date: NET January 8, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 12-11
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
  • Launch Window: 10:24 AM – 2:55 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites for SpaceX’s ISP constellation.
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