SpaceX placed another twenty-three Starlink Mini V2 satellites in orbit after successfully launching the Starlink 6-58 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this evening.
Liftoff was at 08:53 PM EDT. Around 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster used for the mission, tail number B1073, touched down safely on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean. About roughly an hour after liftoff, the satellites were deployed in their intended orbits and the mission deemed a success.
After about a decade of setbacks and challenges, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner is set to head to orbit with crew aboard for the first time tomorrow evening. To say that it has been a roller coaster for engineers and managers of the legacy-rich company would be a massive understatement. Still, the mood among the Space Coast workers at Boeing is best described as quietly confident.
There are actually two facilities that are collectively known as “The Cape” by locals: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, and the US Space Force’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. While they share many services and activities, there are gates at the border between the two, and they are managed by separate government entities.
The most detailed map I’ve found online is the one below: a 2015 Facilities Map that details where everything is on the two facilities. Some changes have been made since the release of this map, but it is quite accurate, even in 2024.
Another 23 Starlink satellites are in orbit early this evening, after SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 6:08 PM EDT.
Around 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster used tonight’ – B1076 — completed its thirteenth mission successfully when it touched down safely on the Automated Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDS) ‘Just Read The Instructions’ which was stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of the Bahamas.
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.
Note: I could not attend this launch, as I was traveling to Texas for the solar eclipse. I was accredited press, however, and was able to photograph the rocket on a few occasions prior to its launch on April 9, 2004. Words and photos were originally published by me at Talk of Titusville and are reprinted here by permission.
United Launch Alliance is planning to launch the final launch of Delta IV Heavy on Thursday from SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window extends from 1:40 PM – 6:51 PM EDT. NROL-70 is a mission is set to carry a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, an agency of the United States Department of Defense.
This will be the 16th Delta IV Heavy launch, the 39th orbital launch attempt from SLC-37 and the 941st from Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station earlier this evening. Liftoff was at 7:05 PM EDT, with the rocket taking a southeasterly direction into late afternoon skies. Around eight and one-half minutes after liftoff, B1077, the booster used for the mission, touched down safely on ASDS Just Read The Instructions. At the same time, the second stage continued to orbit, where it delivered another 23 satellites for the Starlink network.
The fourth of four informational sessions regarding the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF) ongoing Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for a potential launch pad at the Cape for SpaceX’s Starship will be held online tonight.
Officials from the Department of the Air Force, the US Space Force, the Federal Aviation Administration, the US Coast Guard, NASA, and the US Coast Guard will be present to answer questions from members of the public who are interested in learning more about the DAF / SpaceX proposed action to lease SLC-37 to SpaceX once Delta IV Heavy launch activities conclude over the next several weeks, or to build a new launch pad between SLC-37 and SLC-40. That pad would be named Space Launch Complex 50, or SLC-50. Another option is no action, meaning no Starship launch activities from the Cape.
Option 1 at a Glance: Use Current SLC-37
Option 1: Re-engineer and utilize existing pad LC-37. In the upper part of the photo is the dormant LC-37A, which would be included. Photo: Google Maps
Option 2 at a Glance: Build a New Launch Pad, SLC-50
Approximate location of a new launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station that would be used for SpaceX Starship if it is constructed. Photo: Google Maps. Graphics: Talk of Titusville
In-Depth Looks
Below are two links that can provide much information about the Proposed Action. First, the official site for the EIS has a great deal of information, and in particular, a PDF file of the information displayed at the in-person meetings can be downloaded. The second is our informational article published earlier this month. In it, Talk of Titusville gives additional information regarding Starship, Starship’s propellant, the risk of pollution from them, and the Proposed Actions.
After the final Public Meeting on March 12, a relatively quiet period will follow where studies will be conducted and a draft Environmental Impact Statement is created.
A Draft EIS is planned to be released in December 2024.
Booster B1077 prior to its last launch, North Grumman NG-20 Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
SpaceX plans to launch the Starlink 6-43 mission Sunday, March 10 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
The payload will be another tranche of 23 Starlink satellites that will be ferried low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. According to the company, “liftoff is targeted for 7:05 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 11:03 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, March 11 starting at 6:40 p.m. ET.”
Weather
At this time, the 45th Weather Squadron has not released a Probability of Violation forecast for the launch.
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