Falcon 9

SpaceX is planning to launch the Optus-X/TD7 telecommunications satellite for Australian communications company Optus today from Kennedy Space Center. The launch window opens at 4:29 PM EST and extends to 6:27 PM the same day. According to SpaceX, if the mission does not launch today, then “there is a backup opportunity on Monday, November 18 at the same time.”

Booster B1077 will power the ascent initially, and will be flying its 16th mission. B1077 has previously supported the Crew-5, GPS III-06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, NG-20, and nine Starlink missions in previous flights. It is slated to land offshore on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas.’ after performing its part of the mission. Since the landing is offshore, the Space Coast will not hear a sonic boom today.

At A Glance

  • Mission: Optus-X/TD 7
  • Date: NET November 17, 2024
  • Launch Window:  4:29 PM – 6:29 PM EST*
  • Weather: 95+% GO
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Trajectory: East
  • Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
  • Booster Landing: ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’
  • Payload: Starlink satellites
  • Destination: Optus-X/TD 7 telecommunications satellite

    * consult SpaceX website for the specific target for T-0.

Weather

It should be a spectacular afternoon for a space flight, according to the 45th Weather Squadron of the Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45. With less than a five percent chance of a violation, that means the weather today should be 95%+ go at the launch site. There is, however, a moderate concern for the landing area, which may cause some launch delays if SpaceX decides to wait for conditions to calm in the location of ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas.’

Trajectory

Eastwards.

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: Optus TD7. 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: Northern Titusville parks on Washington Avenu / US-1 are your best bets: Space View Park, Sands Park, Rotary Riverfront Park.

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.

Read more

Falcon 9 and Starlink 6-68 lifting off from Space Launch Complex 40 on November 14, 2024. Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX sent another group of Starlink satellites to orbit aboard a Falcon 9 launched from Space Launch Complex 40 this morning. Liftoff was at 8:21 AM.

Around 8.5 minutes later, Falcon 9 booster B1076 touched down offshore on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, which had been pre-positioned off the coast of The Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean. The drone ship will return to Port Canaveral and B1076 will be returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X for inspection and, presumably, preparation for its next flight.

At 9:27 AM EST, SpaceX announced payload deployment and a successful end to the mission:

Launch Replay

By The Numbers

  • 17th SpaceX launch in the past 31 days
  • 428th SpaceX launch all time
  • 54th launch from SLC-40 this year
  • 43rd consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch
  • 986th Launch from Cape Canaveral, all time

Next Launch

SpaceX is scheduled to launch the Northrup Grumman-built Optus X telecommunications satellite aboard a Falcon 9 Sunday afternoon from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.

  • Date: NET November 17, 2024
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Optus X
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: Launch Complex 39A
  • Launch Window: 4:29 – 6:37 PM EST
  • Payload: Optus X, a  geostationary communications satellite.

Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.

Read more

SpaceX launched the Starlink 6-69 mission to low-Earth orbit late this afternoon, and by so doing completed its second launch from the Eastern Range (Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center) in less than five hours. Starlink 6-69 launched aboard Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at 4:28 PM EST, a mere four hours and six minutes after SpaceX launched Koreasat 6A from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Both launches were successes.

Read more

SpaceX launched the Koreasat 6A satellite from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center this afternoon. Liftoff was at 12:22 PM EDT under blue skies and on a warm afternoon here on the Space Coast.

Several minutes after launching, Booster B1067 touched down at Landing Zone 1 in Cape Canaveral and became the first SpaceX booster to successfully complete 23 launches and landings. Two other Falcon 9 boosters have also flown 23 times, with one being expended (with no landing attempt) and another that did not land successfully and was destroyed.

Read more

SpaceX launched the Starlink 6-69 mission to low-Earth orbit late this afternoon, and by so doing completed its second launch from the Eastern Range (Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center) in less than five hours. Starlink 6-69 launched aboard Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at 4:28 PM EST, a mere four hours and six minutes after SpaceX launched Koreasat 6A from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Both launches were successes.

People enjoying late afternoon on Cocoa Beach were treated to a second launch for the day.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Around 8.5 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1080 touched down safely on the company’s drone ship ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’ to complete its twelfth mission successfully, while the second stage and payload continued to low Earth orbit. About the same time that the booster landed, the initial orbit for the payload was achieved, with a short orbit rounding burn just before payload deployment.

‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ will now return with B0180 to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be offloaded, returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center where it will be inspected and presumably begin the process of it being prepared for its next mission,

At 5:33 PM EDT, SpaceX confirmed a successful deployment of the payload of Starlink satellites and a successful end to the flight.

Launch Replay

By The Numbers

  • 113th SpaceX launch this year
  • 426th SpaceX launch all time
  • 40th consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch
  • 369th Falcon Family Booster landing
  • 84th landing on A Shortfall Of Gravitas
  • 53rd launch from Space Launch Complex 40 this year

Next Launch

The next launch from the Eastern Range is a near carbon copy of today’s Starlink 6-69 flight. Starlink 6-68 is slated to launch from SLC-40 on Thursday with the launch window opening at 5:33 AM EST and extending to 9:33 AM the same day. The payload is another group of Starlink satellites to join SpaceX’s constellation of data satellites.

  • Date: NET November 14, 2024
  • Organization: SpaceX / NASA
  • Mission: Starlink 6-68
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral
  • Launch Window: 5:33 AM – 9:33 AM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites

Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.

Starlink 6-69 rising to space on November 11, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Starlink 6-69 rising to space on November 11, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Read more

SpaceX Falcon 9 launching the Koreasat 6A mission from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

SpaceX launched the Koreasat 6A satellite from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center this afternoon. Liftoff was at 12:22 PM EDT under blue skies and on a warm afternoon here on the Space Coast.

Several minutes after launching, Booster B1067 touched down at Landing Zone 1 in Cape Canaveral and became the first SpaceX booster to successfully complete 23 launches and landings. Two other Falcon 9 boosters have also flown 23 times, with one being expended (with no landing attempt) and another that did not land successfully and was destroyed.

About the same time that the booster landed, the initial orbit for the payload was achieved. At 12:57 PM EST SpaceX announced the payload had been successfully deployed, concluding another successful Falcon 9 mission for the company.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launching with the Koreasat 6A payload aboard on November 11, 2024.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Launch Replay

By The Numbers

  • 112th SpaceX launch this year
  • 20th launch from LC-39A this year
  • 39th consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch
  • 424th SpaceX launch all time
  • 368th Falcon Family Booster landing
  • 47th landing on LZ-1
Falcon 9 emerging from behind its contrail this afternoon over the coast of Florida.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Next Launch

Space Coast residents will not have to wait very long until the next launch: Starlink 6-69 is scheduled for today, with the launch window opening at 4:28 PM EST and extending to 7:44 PM. The payload is another group of Starlink satellites to join SpaceX’s constellation of data satellites.

  • Date: NET November 11, 2024
  • Organization: SpaceX / NASA
  • Mission: Starlink 6-69
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral
  • Launch Window: 4:28 PM – 7:44 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites

Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.

Falcon 9 ascending with the Koreasat 6A satellite on November 11, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Read more

A relatively rare launch double-header may be on offer today, as SpaceX is planning to launch Koreasat-6A from Launch Complex 39A in the early afternoon, and later, the company plans to turn around and launch the Starlink 6-69 mission from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40.

For Koreasat, the launch window opens at 12:07 PM EST and extends to 4:07 PM, and the launch window for Starlink 6-69 opens at 4:02 PM EST and closes again at 7:44 PM the same day.

The Koreasat mission is scheduled to be a Return to Launch Site mission, meaning the Falcon 9 booster, B1067, will complete its flight at Landing Zone 1 in Cape Canaveral, and as such, the Space Coast region can expect a sonic boom to herald the return of the rocket. Starlink 6-69 will land at sea about one of SpaceX’s automated spaceport drone ships, and that launch will not create any booms in the area.

For a preview of Starlink 6-69, please click here: SpaceX planning to launch Starlink 6-69. The rest of this preview will cover Koreasat 6A.

A Falcon Heavy booster returning to land.

At A Glance

  • Mission: Koresat 6A
  • Date: NET November 11, 2024
  • Launch Window:  12:07 – 4:07 PM EST*
  • Weather: 70% GO
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Trajectory: Easterly
  • Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
  • Booster Landing: Landing Zone 1
  • Payload: telecommunications
  • Destination: GEO

    * consult SpaceX website for the specific target for T-0.

Payload

The mission’s payload is the Koreasat 6A spacecraft. Built by Thales Alenia Space, Koreasat 6A will provide satellite services through 20 transponders and another 6 for TV broadcasting. It is the planned replacement for the Koreasat 6 launched in 2010.

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron of the US Space Force Launch Delta 45 has forecast a 30% probability of a violation of acceptable weather conditions through the launch window, meaning that they expect conditions to be 70% GO.

Via Space Launch Delta 45.
Retried 0900 November 11, 2024

Trajectory

Eastwards.

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: Koreasat 6A. 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

For a preview of Starlink 6-69, please click here: SpaceX planning to launch Starlink 6-69. The rest of this preview will cover Koreasat 6A.

Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center is offering viewing from the Apollo Saturn V Center, about four miles from the launch pad. Spectators will still need to pay admission and for parking.

For the launch, the best free viewing options are the Max Brewer Bridge, Space View Park, Rotary Riverview Park or Kennedy Park.

Playalinda Beach will be open for the launch. The normal US Park Service fees to enter Cape Canaveral National Seashore apply.

The best free options available for spectators to get great views of the landing: 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.

Read more

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.

A SpaceX booster heading to space from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
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.

Read more

SpaceX launched the latest resupply mission for the International Space Station this evening from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was at 9:29 PM EDT into skies that cleared just in time for the launch.

Around eight minutes and a half minutes after launching roughly ten miles away, Falcon 9 Booster B1083 completed its fifth mission successfully when it touched down at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This marked the 46th landing at LZ-1 and the 365th Falcon booster landing all-time.

Read more

SpaceX Falcon 9 lifting off from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on November 4, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

SpaceX launched the latest resupply mission for the International Space Station this evening from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was at 9:29 PM EDT into skies that cleared just in time for the launch.

Around eight minutes and a half minutes after launching roughly ten miles away, Falcon 9 Booster B1083 completed its fifth mission successfully when it touched down at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This marked the 46th landing at LZ-1 and the 365th Falcon booster landing all-time.

SpaceX Falcon 9 lifting off from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center to start the CRS-2 SpX-31 mission.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

At roughly the same time, the second stage of Falcon 9 achieved orbit and at 9:48 PM the Cargo Dragon was released to continue under its own power towards ISS. A successful nose-cone deployment marked the end of the launch phase of the CRS-2 SpX-31 mission.

SpaceX noted on X.com after the launch that this mission was their 400th successful Falcon launch.

Cargo Dragon will now continue towards the International Space Station, where it is expected to dock autonomously to the forward port of the space station’s Harmony module at 10:15 AM tomorrow (Tuesday, November 5).

Launch Replay

By The Numbers

  • 109th SpaceX launch this year
  • 19th launch from LC-39A this year
  • 37th consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch
  • 186th orbital launch attempt from LC-39A, all-time
  • 245th launch from KSC, all-time
Falcon 9’s first stage put on a display in the Florida skies while the second stage (bottom) continued towards orbit.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Next Launch

SpaceX is scheduled to launch Starlink 6-77 and another set of Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 tomorrow afternoon from Space Launch Complex 40. This is the second attempt to launch this mission — the first attempt was scrubbed with less than three minutes to go in the countdown due to a helium issue.

  • Date: NET November 5, 2024
  • Organization: SpaceX / NASA
  • Mission: Starlink 6-77
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral
  • Launch Window: 3:39 – 7:39 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites

Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.

Read more