Though they are often taken for granted, spacesuits are a vital part of US space efforts, both now with the International Space Station, and also later, when astronauts from Project Artemis undertake their EVA duties on the lunar surface. Without spacesuits, many of the necessary maintenance and upgrade duties on ISS cannot be performed, and obviously, without spacesuits, no one will be walking on the moon.
In an announcement today, United Launch Alliance stated that Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser is off of the second flight of ULA’s Vulcan rocket.
Statement from United Launch Alliance, June 26, 2024
On the X platform today, ULA said “We have been working closely with our current VulcanRocket Cert2 customer, Sierra Space, and while ULA will be ready to fly, Sierra Space has shared that they are making excellent progress with Dream Chaser but have schedule risk to fly by that time.”
They added, “Based on this delay and urgent national security needs, we are prioritizing the Cert2 mission to enable certification to launch our first National Security Space mission.
“We plan to fly an inert payload, experiments, and demonstrations the #Cert2 mission.
“We are working with Sierra Space to identify the next available launch date.”
ULA concluded that they are “[A]ware of the heightened threat environment the nation is facing in space and takes seriously the critical responsibility of launching essential National Security Space satellite assets to orbit promptly.”
For their part, at the time of this writing, Sierra Space has made no statement regarding the matter.
The move, however, makes a lot of sense for all parties: ULA needs to fly Vulcan a second time successfully to achieve certification from the Department of Defense to fly national security payloads aboard Vulcan. That in turn would allow ULA to fulfill its contracted obligations and to get its backlogged manifest of DoD launches in process.
ULA has received the booster for Vulcan CERT-2, and it is being processed at the company’s facilities in Florida, but it has yet to announce a target launch date for the vehicle.
For Sierra Space, the move relieves schedule pressure to some degree and allows them time to focus on ensuring that no stones are left unturned in the lead-up to Dream Chaser’s maiden spaceflight. Given that the Tenacity spacecraft that will fly the mission is also planned to be re-used, its critical for Sierra to have a successful launch and landing of the spacecraft.
NASA and SpaceX launched the GOES-U weather satellite for NOAA today from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 05:26 PM EDT, ten minutes after the launch window opened, with thunderstorms looming in the distance. With mission managers satisfied that the storms would not affect either the launch of landings of Falcon Heavy, the launch proceeded as planned.
NASA and SpaceX launched the GOES-U weather satellite for NOAA today from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 05:26 PM EDT, ten minutes after the launch window opened, with thunderstorms looming in the distance. With mission managers satisfied that the storms would not affect either the launch of landings of Falcon Heavy, the launch proceeded as planned.
Around 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the two side booster used for the mission returned and safely landed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, while the center core booster was expended and not recovered.
The satellite was safely delivered into its initial orbit and, after separating from Falcon Heavy’s second stage, it will continue under its own power to its final location in geosynchronous orbit, where it will undergo a commissioning process prior to its entering service for NOAA. SpaceX announced a successful deployment just before 10 PM EDT, marking a successful mission that had begun roughly 4.5 hours earlier.
According to NOAA, “GOES-U will provide critical atmospheric, hydrologic, oceanic, climatic, solar and space data for advanced detection and monitoring of environmental phenomena that threaten the security and well-being of everyone in the Western Hemisphere.”
They add, “GOES-U will be renamed GOES-19 after it reaches geostationary orbit. Following a successful on-orbit checkout of its instruments and systems, NOAA plans to put GOES-19 into operational service, replacing GOES-16 as GOES East. GOES-19 will work in tandem with GOES-18, NOAA’s GOES West satellite. Together, GOES East and GOES West watch over more than half the globe – from the west coast of Africa to New Zealand.”
SpaceX plans to launch Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s SLC-40 on Thursday, June 27th.
Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.
NASA is targeting a two-hour window Tuesday opening at 5:16 PM EDT, June 25, for the launch of the weather satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A. The payload for this mission is the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) GOES-U weather satellite, an advanced weather forecasting satellite.
The weather could be a significant concern for any launch attempt tomorrow or Wednesday as storms are expected to form in the Space Coast area. The 45th Weather Squadron is giving a pessimistic forecast of only a 30% chance of acceptable weather for launch, with a 70% chance of weather causing a launch delay.
B1087 (Center Core), B1086 and B1072 (RTLS Side Cores) are all brand new boosters set to debut on this launch. B1086 and B1072 will return and land at SpaceX’s landing zone at Cape Canaveral, and B1087 will have a short life — it will be expended as part of the mission plan. As such, sonic booms will be heard throughout the Space Coast region as the boosters herald their return to land.
Should the launch be delayed for weather-related or technical reasons, the backup window is Wednesday, June 26, at the same time as Tuesday.
Mission: GOES-U
Date: NET June 24, 2024
Launch Window: 05:16 PM EDT – 07:16 PM EDT*
Organization: NASA / SpaceX
Rocket: Falcon Heavy Launch
Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
Payload: GOES-U Weather satellite for NOAA
* consult NASA or SpaceX media for the specific target for T-0.
In their forecast update at 1 PM EDT today, the 45th Weather Squadron states that, “By tomorrow, the ridge axis will be just south of the Spaceport as a surface boundary digs into the Southeastern US, bringing high levels of moisture and light offshore low-level winds before the afternoon sea breeze develops. This set-up will increase afternoon shower and storm chances through most of this week. Both tomorrow and Wednesday, the east coast sea breeze will form and trigger showers/storms in the early to mid-afternoon, before the evening launch window opens.”
That does not sound good, and a delay due to the weather is entirely possible, Still, with a two-hour launch window to work with, mission managers are hopeful that a a period of calm weather will allow the launch to proceed.
According to NOAA, “GOES-U will provide critical atmospheric, hydrologic, oceanic, climatic, solar and space data for advanced detection and monitoring of environmental phenomena that threaten the security and well-being of everyone in the Western Hemisphere.”
They add, “GOES-U will be renamed GOES-19 after it reaches geostationary orbit. Following a successful on-orbit checkout of its instruments and systems, NOAA plans to put GOES-19 into operational service, replacing GOES-16 as GOES East. GOES-19 will work in tandem with GOES-18, NOAA’s GOES West satellite. Together, GOES East and GOES West watch over more than half the globe – from the west coast of Africa to New Zealand.”
More information is available GOES-U Mission Overview.
Eastward.
Watching Online
SpaceCoastLaunchCalendar.com will have a livestream of the launch if you’re not able to watch the launch in person: Livestream
NASA will have a livestream of the launch on their website: NASA GOES-U
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 and or NASA is the best source of information.
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 Launch 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.
Today’s launch is from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. The Max Brewer Bridge and northern park on Washington Avenue (US1) in Titusville are your best bets.
Given the early hours of the launch window (7:30AM – 11:30AM EDT) these restaurants may not be open for launch viewing. Later in the day, all three may well be, so if you are interested, be sure to call ahead to make sure they’ll be ready to serve you.
There are several excellent viewing spots for launches that offer indirect views — meaning you won’t see the rocket until it clears obstructions such as trees, buildings, even a storm berm in one case.
Further away, but really nice views.
Jetty Park, Port Canaveral
Fee required, much be purchased in advance: Port Canaveral Store
It’s very possible to see a cruise ship coming or going.
The pier especially has great views.
Parking fees (probably). Pay with your smartphone on the parking app. There are signs everywhere telling you how.
Playalinda Beach out on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore may be open to spectators, that is, if KSC Security and the National Park Service allow viewers for the launch. This varies launch to launch.
That’s by no means a certainty, however, and it would be very wise to call ahead before making the trip out.
Cape Canaveral National Seashore Phone: 386 428-3384 x0
If you are going to Playalinda, and if it is open, remember:
Also, as part of both Kennedy Space Center and the US Park system, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is under federal jurisdiction and that means if you happen to get a ticket out there, you’ll be heading to federal court. Best thing to do is strictly obey traffic laws. Don’t speed!
Despite a pessimistic weather forecast, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 carrying the Starlink 10-2 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this afternoon at 01:15 PM EDT, at the opening of a nearly four-hour launch window.
Around 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster used for the mission, tail number B1078, touched down safely on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Carolinas. B1078 has now flown eleven successful missions. ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be unloaded, transported to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center and prepared for its next flight after inspection and refurbishment.
Despite a pessimistic weather forecast, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 carrying the Starlink 10-2 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this afternoon at 01:15 PM EDT, at the opening of a nearly four-hour launch window.
Around 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster used for the mission, tail number B1078, touched down safely on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Carolinas. B1078 has now flown eleven successful missions. ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be unloaded, transported to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center and prepared for its next flight after inspection and refurbishment.
Today’s payload was another 22 Starlink satellites that will join SpaceX’s constellation in low-Earth orbit. Over 1,000 of these satellites have been launched this year alone. There are well over 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, providing Internet connectivity to the company’s customers.
According to SpaceX, the booster used for Starlink 10-2 previously launched “Crew-6, mPOWER-B, USSF-124, and seven Starlink missions” and will be on its eleventh mission overall. That’s Booster B1078.
B1078 last flew May 28, 2024, twenty-six days ago.
| Booster B1078 | ||
| Flight Number | Payload | Date |
| 1 | Crew-6 | March 2, 2023 |
| 2 | O3b mPOWER 3 & 4 | April 28, 2023 |
| 3 | Starlink 6-4 | June 4, 2023 |
| 4 | Starlink 6-8 | August 7, 2023 |
| 5 | Starlink 6-16 | September 16, 2023 |
| 6 | Starlink 6-31 | December 3, 2023 |
| 7 | USSF-124 | February 14, 2024 |
| 8 | Starlink 6-46 | March 25, 2024 |
| 9 | Starlink 6-53 | April 23, 2024 |
| 10 | Starlink 6-60 | May 28, 2024 |
| 11 | Starlink 10-2 | June 23, 2024 |
SpaceX and NASA plan to launch the GOES-U weather satellite for NOAA late Tuesday, June 25, 2024 aboard a Falcon Heavy.
Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.
SpaceX will attempt to finally launch Starlink 10-2 tomorrow, after a pair of weather-related scrubs and one abort-at-ignition last week. After the hard-shutdown, the company has re-assigned a new booster for the launch, and has returned the one originally slated for the mission to Hangar X for closer inspection and repairs.
Unfortunately, the weather forecast is pessimistic for a launch attempt tomorrow. The 45th Weather Squadron gives only a 50% chance of acceptable weather at the start of the launch window, with deteriorating chances as the afternoon progresses. We’ll see…weather can and does turn on a dime on the Space Coast.
That said, B1078 has replaced B1073 for this mission and is now set to fly for its 11th time with a 26-day turnaround. As is the norm with most Starlink missions, B1078 will land at sea aboard ASDS ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas,’ meaning there will be no sonic boom over the Space Coast.
22 Starlink Mini V2 satellites, to be used in SpaceX’s orbital-based Internet service.
The 45th Weather Squadron says in their forecast that, “Deep tropical moisture will remain entrenched across the Florida peninsula into early next week, and as a result, scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms can be expected each day, largely favoring the afternoon and evening hours.”
The planned trajectory for the launch is northeast, or right-to-left if you are facing the Atlantic Ocean on Florida’s east coast. Depending on the time of day and the weather in their location, people living to the north of the Space Coast may see the rocket as it ascends.
According to SpaceX, tonight’s booster previously launched “Crew-6, mPOWER-B, USSF-124, and seven Starlink missions.” and will be on its eleventh mission overall. That’s Booster B1078.
B1078 last flew May 28, 2024, twenty-six days ago.
| Booster B1078 | ||
| Flight Number | Payload | Date |
| 1 | Crew-6 | March 2, 2023 |
| 2 | O3b mPOWER 3 & 4 | April 28, 2023 |
| 3 | Starlink 6-4 | June 4, 2023 |
| 4 | Starlink 6-8 | August 7, 2023 |
| 5 | Starlink 6-16 | September 16, 2023 |
| 6 | Starlink 6-31 | December 3, 2023 |
| 7 | USSF-124 | February 14, 2024 |
| 8 | Starlink 6-46 | March 25, 2024 |
| 9 | Starlink 6-53 | April 23, 2024 |
| 10 | Starlink 6-60 | May 28, 2024 |
There are key events in the countdown that you may hear called out in launch coverage.
Remember that once Propellant Loading (T-minus thirty-eight minutes) starts, Falcon 9 is committed to the launch attempt. Because of the nature of the cryogenic fuels used to power the rockets, any hold precludes a later launch attempt the same day. While it only rarely happens, there have been occasions where that has happened, and a launch scrub is called for the day’s attempt.
SpaceX provides the following countdown milestones on their mission information page:
| Hours:Minutes:Seconds | Event |
| 00:38:00 | SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load |
| 00:35:00* | RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins |
| 00:35:00 | 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins |
| 00:16:00 | 2nd stage LOX loading begins |
| 00:07:00 | Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch |
| 00:01:00 | Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks |
| 00:01:00 | Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins |
| 00:00:45 | SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch |
| 00:00:03 | Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start |
| 00:00:00 | Falcon 9 liftoff |
Via SpaceX
Typical SpaceX countdown timeline is presented for information purposes only.
SpaceX has published a timeline of expected events during the mission:
| Hours:Minutes:Seconds | Event |
| 00:00:00 | Liftoff |
| 00:01:10 | Max-Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) |
| 00:02:24 | 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO) |
| 00:02:28 | 1st and 2nd stages separate |
| 00:02:35 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1) |
| 00:02:54 | Fairing deployment |
| 00:06:09 | 1st stage entry burn begins |
| 00:06:33 | 1st stage entry burn ends |
| 00:07:53 | 1st stage landing burn begins |
| 00:08:18 | 1st stage landing |
| 00:08:38 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1) |
| 00:43:50 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2) |
| 00:43:52 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2) |
| 00:52:44 | Starlink satellites deploy |
All events up to the end of the 1st stage entry burn should be visible for launch spectators watching the launch in person, so long as clouds are not blocking the viewer’s line of sight.
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 10-2. 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 Launch 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.
This morning’s planned launch is from SLC-40, on the south side of the Eastern Range (KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station combined.) The southern parks in Titusville on Washington Avenue and FL-528/A1A in Cape Canaveral are the best spots to watch liftoff directly.
Given the early hours of the launch window (7:30AM – 11:30AM EDT) these restaurants may not be open for launch viewing. Later in the day, all three may well be, so if you are interested, be sure to call ahead to make sure they’ll be ready to serve you.
There are several excellent viewing spots for SLC-40 launches that offer indirect views — meaning you won’t see the rocket until it clears obstructions such as trees, buildings, even a storm berm in one case.
Playalinda Beach out on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore will be open to spectators until 8 PM EDT, that is if KSC Security and the National Park Service allow viewers for the launch. It opens to visitors at 6 AM.
Call ahead to be sure.
Cape Canaveral National Seashore • Playalinda Beach
Phone: (386) 428-3384 x0
Current operating hours: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM
If you are going to Playalinda, and if it is open, remember these general tips. Some may not apply to this particular launch.
Be prepared for potential changes or pushbacks in the launch schedule, and keep up by monitoring the live stream links mentioned above.
Keep up with launch news and other space events that affect the local area by subscribing to alerts when we publish a new article by entering your email at the link at the bottom of this page, or by visiting Space Talk here on the website. It’s free, and you can cancel at any time.
Florida weather can be a capricious, fickle thing, and that’s just what it has been the past few days on the Space Coast: windy, occasional rain, or sometimes both — weather that’s normal for this time of year but not very good for launching rockets. That caused two scrubs for SpaceX this week, due to high winds at Cape Canaveral.
Today, on the third attempt, the winds abated and the storms stayed far enough away for SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 carrying the Astra 1P / SES-24 television satellite to orbit. Liftoff was at the opening of the launch window at 5:35 PM EDT and roughly eight-and-a-half minutes later, Booster B1080 touched down safely aboard ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’ in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its mission for the day. At 6:10 PM EDT, SpaceX confirmed successful deployment of the payload, marking another successful mission for the launch services company. Astra 1P will now move under its own power to geosynchronous orbit, where it will begin its commissioning process.
Built by Thales Alenia Space, Astra 1P is a television satellite that will serve the pan-European market once operational. It is the most powerful wide-beam satellite to ever orbit at 19.2 degrees East. It offers up to 80 physical transponders with bandwidth filters and can carry up to 500 high-definition stations to roughly 119 million homes in its target markets.
Astra 1P was ordered in November 2021 (along with Asra 1Q). It is based on the Thales SpaceBusNEO platform and intended to replace three satellites. It is planned for about fifteen years of use.
Booster B1080 completed its ninth flight today after it successfully touched down on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
JRTI and B1080 will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be offloaded and transported to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center. There, it will be inspected, refurbished as necessary and prepared for its next flight assignment.
| Booster B1080 | ||
| Flight Number | Mission | Date |
| 1 | Axiom-2 | May 21, 2023 |
| 2 | Euclid | July 1, 2023 |
| 3 | Starlink 6-11 | August 27 2023 |
| 4 | Starlink 6-24 | October 22, 2023 |
| 5 | Axiom-3 | January 18, 2024 |
| 6 | CRS-30 | March 21, 2024 |
| 7 | Starlink 6-52 | April18, 2024 |
| 8 | Starlink 6-62 | May 23, 2024 |
| 9 | Astra 1P / SES-24 | June 20, 2024 |
SpaceX plans to launch Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s SLC-40 on Sunday, June 23rd.
Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.
Florida weather can be a capricious, fickle thing, and that’s just what it has been the past few days on the Space Coast: windy, occasional rain, or sometimes both — weather that’s normal for this time of year but not very good for launching rockets. That caused two scrubs for SpaceX this week, due to high winds at Cape Canaveral.
Today, on the third attemt, the winds abated and the storms stayed far enough away for SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 carrying the Astra 1P / SES-24 television satellite to orbit. Liftoff was at the opening of the launch window at 5:35 PM EDT and roughly eight-and-a-half minutes later, Booster B1080 touched down safely aboard ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’ in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its mission for the day. At 6:10 PM EDT, SpaceX confirmed successful deployment of the payload, marking another successful mission for the launch services company. Astra 1P will now move under its own power to geosynchronous orbit, where it will begin its commissioning process.
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