Two launches in two days on two nearly perfect Florida late spring evenings: that’s life on the Space Coast these days, and that’s what’s happened over the last 25 or so hours here at The Cape. Tonight, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from their launch pad at SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying another 23 Starlink satellites to orbit. Launch was at 6:40 PM EDT, right at the start of the launch window.
Two launches in two days on two nearly perfect Florida late spring evenings: that’s life on the Space Coast these days, and that’s what’s happened over the last 25 or so hours here at The Cape. Tonight, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from their launch pad at SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying another 23 Starlink satellites to orbit. Launch was at 6:40 PM EDT, right at the start of the launch window.
This evening’s launch was the 18th launch from SLC-40 this year, the 41st of the year overall from SpaceX (40 Falcon family, 1 Starship test launch), and was the 300th landing of a Falcon family booster. On the average, SpaceX is performing a launch every 2.63 days, which far outperforms any other organization globally, including active nation-states such as China.
Now that Spring Break is over, and many of the winter residents are starting to return home, crowds were not as thick in the usual spots as they have been as little as a few weeks ago. That said, there were still hundreds of people lining the riverbanks in Titusville, in Cape Canaveral and of course on the beaches as well. Those spectators enjoyed a beautiful launch, with Falcon 9 clearly visible until well into the second stage’s flight.
About eight and a half minutes after liftoff, Booster B0180 touched down safely on SpaceX’s ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’ automated droneship located offshore in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of the Bahamas, completing its seventh mission safely.
ASOG will return to Port Canaveral in a few days, where the booster will be returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center, and after inspection and reconditioning, it will be prepared for its next flight at some future date to be determined.
| 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 | April 18, 2024 |
On Monday, April 22, SpaceX plans to launch another tranche of Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
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 got Falcon 9 to work right at the beginning of tonight’s launch window when it launched the Starlink 6-51 mission at 5:26 PM EDT into the bluebird skies of the Space Coast. The payload was another 23 Starlink satellites to join the company’s ever-growing constellation of thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit that provide Internet service to underserved areas globally.
Another day, another Starlink launch from SpaceX, or so it seems lately. The company is regularly launching new batches of of the Internet service providing satellites, with a new set going up every few days on the average.
Averages can be a bit deceiving, of course, as is the case today: there was a Starlink launch late yesterday afternoon from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center, and today, just over twenty-four hours later, SpaceX is planning to send another 23 satellites to orbit from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window opens at 6:40 PM EDT and runs to 11:11 PM.
Today’s launch will be the 18th launch from SLC-40 this year, the 41st of the year overall from SpaceX, and could mark the 300th Falcon family booster landing. The pace and of course the number of booster landings is remarkable, and the company is making orbital spaceflight seem routine. It never is, of course, and the fact that SpaceX is making it seem as “easy” as they are testifies to their hard work and dedication.
As they did yesterday, the 45th Weather Squadron has forecasted a 10% Probability of Violation, meaning there is a 90% chance of acceptable weather during the launch window. Their primary concern is the Thick Clouds rule.
Southeast. If you are looking towards the ocean, the rocket will appear to travel left to right as it heads towards space.
Landing is planned to be on the autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ (ASOG) which is stationed in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of the Bahamas.
After the landing, ASOG will return to Port Canaveral with the booster. It will then be returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility on Roberts Road inside Kennedy Space Center for inspection, refurbishment and preparation for its next mission.
SpaceX stated on their website that “This is the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched ESA Euclid, Ax-2, Ax-3, CRS-30, and two Starlink missions.”
That’s Booster B1080. It’s last flight was 28 days ago, on March 21st when it launched CRS-30 to the International Space Station.
| 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 |
A live webcast of this mission will begin on SpaceX’s X account feed about five minutes prior to liftoff.
Watch live on X.
SpaceX’s official web page has links to live coverage as well as up-to-date planned launch times. Starlink 6-52 Mission Page.
Spaceflight Now will begin its live launch feed one hour prior to liftoff.
SFN on Youtube.
This evening’s planned launch is from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are: the Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, or the southern parks on US-1 / S. Washington Avenue in Titusville. Kennedy Point Park and Rotary Riverview Park (among others) are your best bets for free viewing sites.
If you would like to enjoy food and drinks during the launch, you have several options in the Titusville area:
Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Pier, Jetty Park Pier will have indirect views, meaning that liftoff will not be visible, but after the rocket clears the pad and any ground obstructions, you will be able to see Falcon 9 ascending clearly assuming there are no clouds between you and the rocket. Jetty Park does charge admission and they do not accept cash — visit their web site to purchase an entry pass before you go.
Being that the launch is in the early evening, if you plan to attend in person, don’t forget mosquito spray. Also be prepared for potential changes in the launch schedule, and keep up by monitoring the live stream links mentioned above.
SpaceX got Falcon 9 to work right at the beginning of tonight’s launch window when it launched the Starlink 6-51 mission at 5:26 PM EDT into the bluebird skies of the Space Coast. The payload was another 23 Starlink satellites to join the company’s ever-growing constellation of thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit that provide Internet service to underserved areas globally.
About eight and a half minutes after liftoff, Booster B1077 touched down safely on SpaceX’s ‘Just Read The Instructions’ automated droneship located offshore in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of the Bahamas, completing its 12th mission safely.
Booster B1077 successfully completed its 12th flight. It entered service on October 5, 2022 and was previously used for Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, and now six Starlink missions, and safely touched down at sea on the Automated Spaceport Drone Ship ‘Just Read The Instructions.’
The drone ship will return to Port Canaveral, where it will be returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center for inspection, refurbishment and preparation for its next mission.
| SpaceX Booster B1077 | ||
| Flight | Mission | Date |
| 1 | Crew-5 | 10/15/2023 |
| 2 | GPS III SV06 | 01/18/2023 |
| 3 | Inmarsat-6 F2 | 02/18/2023 |
| 4 | Starlink Group 5-10 | 03/29/2023 |
| 5 | Dragon CRS-2 SpX-28 | 06/05/2023 |
| 6 | Galaxy 37 | 08/03/2023 |
| 7 | Starlink Group 6-13 | 09/01/2023 |
| 8 | Starlink Group 6-25 | 10/30/2023 |
| 9 | Starlink Group 6-33 | 12/07/2023 |
| 10 | Northrup Grumman NG-20 | 01/30/2024 |
| 11 | Starlink Group 6-43 | 03/10/2024 |
| 12 | Starlink Group 6-51 | 04/17/2023 |
The wait won’t be long for the next launch from the Space Coast: weather and spacecraft readiness permitting, SpaceX is planning another Starlink launch Thursday, April 18, this time from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed at any time due to weather, technical reasons or range conditions.
SpaceX is planning to launch the first of three Falcon 9 missions over the next five days today. There’s another launch scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, April 18, and a final one set for Monday, April 22nd. All three will be ferrying a tranche of Starlink Group 6 satellites to orbit. Today’s launch is from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.
The 45th Weather Squadron has forecasted a 10% Probability of Violation, meaning there is a 90% chance of acceptable weather during the launch window. Their primary concern is the Thick Clouds rule.
Southeast, as has been customary for Group 6 Starlink payloads.
Landing is planned to be on the autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) ‘Just Read The Instructions’ (JRTI) which is stationed in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of the Bahamas.
After the landing, JRTI will return to Port Canaveral with the booster. It will then be returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility on Roberts Road inside Kennedy Space Center for inspection, refurbishment and preparation for its next mission.
Booster B1077 will be making its 12th flight. Previously, B1077 was used for Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, and five Starlink missions.
| SpaceX Booster B1077 | ||
| Flight | Mission | Date |
| 1 | Crew-5 | 10/15/2023 |
| 2 | GPS III SV06 | 01/18/2023 |
| 3 | Inmarsat-6 F2 | 02/18/2023 |
| 4 | Starlink Group 5-10 | 03/29/2023 |
| 5 | Dragon CRS-2 SpX-28 | 06/05/2023 |
| 6 | Galaxy 37 | 08/03/2023 |
| 7 | Starlink Group 6-13 | 09/01/2023 |
| 8 | Starlink Group 6-25 | 10/30/2023 |
| 9 | Starlink Group 6-33 | 12/07/2023 |
| 10 | Northrup Grumman NG-20 | 01/30/2024 |
| 11 | Starlink Group 6-43 | 03/10/2024 |
A live webcast of this mission will begin on SpaceX’s X account feed about five minutes prior to liftoff.
Watch live on X.
SpaceX’s official web page has links to live coverage as well as up-to-date planned launch times. Starlink 6-51 Mission Page.
Spaceflight Now will begin its live launch feed one hour prior to liftoff.
SFN on Youtube.
Today’s launch is from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are at either the Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville, or the northern parks on US-1 in Titusville.
If the launch is prior to 8PM EDT, Playalinda Beach out on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore will be open to spectators, that is, if KSC Security and the National Park Service allow viewers for the launch. This varies launch to launch, but as a general rule, they have allowed spectators to watch Starlink launches from the beach. You could be as close as 4.25 miles from the launch pad at liftoff.
Generally speaking, if it is not a national-security mission (for example, a National Reconnaissance Office payload) or a NASA mission, spectators have been allowed at Playalinda. 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!
If you’re not planning to go to Playalinda, the best direct views of liftoff are at either at the northern Titusville parks off of US1 / Washington Avenue. the Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville, or the northern parks on US-1 in Titusville.
The ascending rocket will also be visible on Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Pier, Jetty Park Pier after liftoff when Falcon 9 clears any obstructions.
The ascending rocket will also be visible on the beaches after liftoff when Falcon 9 clears any obstructions.
Weather is forecast to be in the 70º’s around launch time.
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 tonight from Pad SLC-40 at Cape CAnaveral Space Force Station and sent another twenty-three Starlink satellites to orbit. Liftoff occurred at 09:22 PM EDT on a crisp, clear spring evening on the Space Coast.
Crowds were heavier than normal along the usual spectator spots, and no one left disappointed — long after staging and for almost seven minutes the second stage could be seen rising and building orbital speed.
As one man said to someone beside me, “Enjoy this, [it] won’t be long until the air is thick and hot as soup.” He’s right. If anything, Friday’s weather was one of the last of Florida spring weather: cool, but not cold with pinpoint stars and crescent moon lighting the sky. It won’t be long until humidity rises and the nightly costal front storms will be a concern for mission managers and launch spectators alike.
About eight and a half minutes after liftoff, Booster B1062 touched down safely on SpaceX’s A Shortfall of Gravitas automated droneship located offshore in the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas, completing its 20th mission safely.
After returning to Port Canaveral several days from now, B1062 will be returned to SpaceX’s facilities at Hangar X at Kennedy Space Center, where it will be inspected, refurbished, and presumably prepared for its next flight. If it reaches the launch pad, it will be for the 21st time.
| Flight | Mission | Date |
| 1 | GPS III SV04 Sacagawea | 11/05/2020 |
| 2 | GPS III SV05 Neil Armstrong | 06/17/2021 |
| 3 | Inspiration 4 | 09/16/2021 |
| 4 | Starlink 4-5 | 01/06/2022 |
| 5 | Axiom-1 | 04/08/2022 |
| 6 | Starlink 4-16 | 04/29/2022 |
| 7 | Nilesat-301 | 06/08/2022 |
| 8 | Starlink 4-25 | 07/24/2022 |
| 9 | Starlink 4-27 | 08/19/2022 |
| 10 | Starlink 4-36 | 10/20/2022 |
| 11 | Starlink 5-1 | 12/28/2022 |
| 12 | Starlink 5-4 | 02/12/2023 |
| 13 | OneWeb 17 | 03/09/2023 |
| 14 | ArabSat 7B | 05/27/2023 |
| 15 | Starlink 6-7 | 07/28/2023 |
| 16 | Starlink 6-23 | 10/18/2023 |
| 17 | Starlink 6-30 | 11/28/2023 |
| 18 | Starlink 6-38 | 01/29/2024 |
| 19 | Starlink 6-44 | 03/15/2024 |
| 20 | Starlink 6-49 | 04/12/2024 |
Tonight’s mission delivered 23 Starlink satellites to join other Group 6 satellites.
Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed at any time due to weather, technical reasons or range conditions.
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 tonight from Pad SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and sent another twenty-three Starlink satellites to orbit. Liftoff occurred at 09:22 PM EDT on a crisp, clear spring evening on the Space Coast.
Crowds were heavier than normal along the usual spectator spots, and no one left disappointed — long after staging and for almost seven minutes the second stage could be seen rising and building orbital speed.
As one man said to someone beside me, “Enjoy this, [it] won’t be long until the air is thick and hot as soup.” He’s right. If anything, Friday’s weather was one of the last of Florida spring weather: cool, but not cold with pinpoint stars and crescent moon lighting the sky. It won’t be long until humidity rises and the nightly costal front storms will be a concern for mission managers and launch spectators alike.
Note: Story and photographs are by Charles Boyer, and were originally published at Talk of Titusville
The Eutelsat mission launched at 5:52 PM EDT on a day that Florida tourist boards dream of: a warm sunny day with light winds that brought crowds to the beaches and riverfront not only to enjoy seeing a launch but also simply enjoy the nearly perfect weather.
I made a short video of a trip to Playalinda near Titusville in March 2024 to see SpaceX launch a Falcon 9 from pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.
My news article from the day: Talk of Titusville: SpaceX Completes Doubleheader
I’m a lot better photographer and writer than filmmaker, but this is what it was like that day.
You must be logged in to post a comment.