Falcon 9 launch

A “nebula” of gases from Booster B1091 is illuminated by the plume of the departing second stage during last night’s launch. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

SpaceX launched the Bandwagon-4 mission aboard Falcon 9 this morning in a beautiful launch that flew into mostly cloudy skies. Liftoff was at the first 01:09:59 AM of the night; daylight savings time ended less than an hour after the launch and it was 1am all over again.

At the Booster B1091 put on an incredible display after staging as it turned to return to Landing Zone 2 at Cape Canaveral. Shortly after touching down at the T+07:46 mark, a familiar pair of sonic booms washed over the Space Coast, heralding the return of the booster while Stage 2 continued on to orbit. It and the payload of some eighteen assorted satellites achieved that orbit at T+09:38 after liftoff.

Liftoff of Bandwagon 4 on November 2, 2025. Photo: SpaceX

Orbit is estimated to be ~510 × 510 km (± 20 km), at a 45º ±1º mid-inclination Low Earth Orbit.

At 1:28 AM EST, SpaceX confirmed the deployment of all payloads, indicating another successful mission for the company. This was SpaceX’s 585th mission overall, its 145th mission of 2025 and the 558th Falcon 9 mission to date.

Payloads

Bandwagon-4 Payload Details
Payload Name Operator/Customer Description Integrator
KOREA ADD (Satellite 1) Agency for Defense Development (ADD), South Korea Reconnaissance satellite KOREA ADD
KOREA ADD (Satellite 2) Agency for Defense Development (ADD), South Korea Reconnaissance satellite KOREA ADD
Starcloud-1 Starcloud (part of Vast) AI satellite testing on-orbit AI capabilities with NVIDIA H100 GPU Starcloud/Vast
Lumen-1 Vast Technology demonstration satellite for in-orbit data center operations and edge computing capabilities Vast
Tomorrow-R3 Tomorrow Companies Inc. (Tomorrow.io) Weather radar satellite for Earth observation and weather forecasting Tomorrow Companies Inc.
Tomorrow-R4 Tomorrow Companies Inc. (Tomorrow.io) Weather radar satellite for Earth observation and weather forecasting Tomorrow Companies Inc.
Orbit Guard #2 EPIC Aerospace Technology demonstration satellite for in-orbit inspection/servicing (via CHIMERA OTV) Exolaunch
Fergani-DEMO 1 Fergani Technology demonstration satellite Fergani
TAURUS 1 Türkiye Picosatellite for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and technology validation Exolaunch
TAURUS 2 Türkiye Picosatellite for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and technology validation Exolaunch
TAURUS 3 Türkiye Picosatellite for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and technology validation Exolaunch
TAURUS 4 Türkiye Picosatellite for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and technology validation Exolaunch
Unnamed Payload 1 Exolaunch Customer (Argentina) Earth observation, IoT, or science/technology demonstration CubeSat Exolaunch
Unnamed Payload 2 Exolaunch Customer (Czechia) Earth observation, IoT, or science/technology demonstration CubeSat Exolaunch
Unnamed Payload 3 Exolaunch Customer (Finland) Earth observation, IoT, or science/technology demonstration CubeSat Exolaunch
Unnamed Payload 4 Exolaunch Customer (Netherlands) Earth observation, IoT, or science/technology demonstration CubeSat Exolaunch
Unnamed Payload 5 Exolaunch Customer (United States) Earth observation, IoT, or science/technology demonstration CubeSat Exolaunch
Unnamed Payload 6 Exolaunch Customer (International) Earth observation, IoT, or science/technology demonstration CubeSat Exolaunch
Unnamed Payload 7 Exolaunch Customer (International) Earth observation, IoT, or science/technology demonstration CubeSat Exolaunch

Links are included only where publicly available official pages exist; unnamed Exolaunch customers currently have no public payload pages.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

Atlas V 551 | ViaSat-3 F2 (ViaSat-3 EMEA)
OrganizationUnited Launch Alliance
LocationCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
RocketAtlas V 551
PadSpace Launch Complex 41
StatusGo for Launch
Status InfoCurrent T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window OpensWednesday, 11 / 05 / 2025 10:24 PM
Window ClosesWednesday, 11 / 05 / 2025 11:08 PM
DestinationGeostationary Transfer Orbit
Mission Description The ViaSat-3 is a series of three Ka-band satellites expected to deliver >1 Tbps of network capacity with flexible, dynamically directed service to where customers are located.

As of 4:58 PM Sunday November 2, 2025. Launch assignments and times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult ULA for updates.

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SpaceX USSF-36 OTV-8
SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying the USSF-36 OTV-8 mission lifting off from Launch Complex 39-A at Kennedy Space Center last night.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

SpaceX launched their 101st Falcon 9 mission of 2025 last night from Kennedy Space Center when the company sent the Boeing X-37 space plane to low Earth orbit on a classified mission. Liftoff was at 11:50 PM EDT, shortly after the opening of the launch window.

Following a “norminal” initial ascent and stage separation, Falcon 9 first-stage booster B1092 touched down at Landing Zone 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, concluding its sixth flight successfully about 8 miles away from its starting point. This booster previously launched NROL-69, CRS-32, GPS III-7, and two Starlink missions and will soon be transported for refurbishment at SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center.

A post-staging “nebula” appeared above Kennedy Space Center last night as Booster B1092 began its RTLS maneuvers that would guide the vehicle to Landing Zone 2.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Payload

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is a reusable, uncrewed spaceplane developed by Boeing for the United States Space Force. Roughly the size of a small bus, it resembles a miniature space shuttle orbiter and operates in low Earth orbit for extended missions—some lasting over 900 days.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

Field Details
Mission Falcon 9 Block 5 | Dragon CRS-2 SpX-33 — Go for Launch!
Organization SpaceX
Location Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket Falcon 9
Pad Space Launch Complex 40
Status Go for Launch
Status Info Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens Sunday, 08/24/2025 2:45:09 AM
Window Closes Sunday, 08/24/2025 2:45:09 AM
Destination Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description 33rd commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station operated by SpaceX. The flight will be conducted under the second Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA.

Cargo Dragon 2 brings supplies and payloads, including critical materials to directly support science and research investigations that occur onboard the orbiting laboratory.

As of 2:00 AM Friday August 22, 2025. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult SpaceX.com for more information.

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SpaceX launched their 41st mission of 2025 this evening from Cape Canaveral when the company sent the Starlink 6-72 mission to low Earth orbit aboard Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 11:07 PM EDT and into clear but hazy skies skies on a seasonal night here on the Space Coast.

Starlink 6-72 streak shot
A good crowd showed up to watch the launch of Starlink 6-72 from Kennedy Point Park in Titusville this evening. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk Of Titusville

Around 8.5 minutes after launching, Booster B1078 successfully completed its nineteenth mission when it touched down on ASDS ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’ east of The Bahamas. Booster and barge will now return to Port Canaveral, where B1078 will he offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s Roberts Road facility for preparation for its next mission.

At 12:17 am EDT, SpaceX announced a successful payload deployment, ending the operational phase of the mission.

The launch is SpaceX’s 41st launch of 2025, and the company’s 491st all time.

SpaceX Starlink 6-72 payload deployment announcement on X.com
SpaceX Starlink 6-72 payload deployment announcement on X.com

Payload

28 Starlink satellites, which will join SpaceX’s Starlink constellation that provides Internet connectivity in over 100 countries and territories globally.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

Atlas V 551 | Project Kuiper (KA-01)
Mission Atlas V 551 | Project Kuiper (KA-01)
Organization United Launch Alliance
Location Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket Atlas V 551
Pad Space Launch Complex 41
Status Go for Launch
Status Info Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens Wednesday, 04/09/2025 12:00:00 PM
Window Closes Wednesday, 04/09/2025 3:00:00 PM
Destination Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access. This constellation will be managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. It is planned to be composed of 3,276 satellites, placed in 98 orbital planes across three orbital layers: one at 590 km, one at 610 km, and one at 630 km altitude.

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Liftoff of NROL 69 on March 24, 2025.
Liftoff of NROL 69 on March 24, 2025.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

SpaceX launched Falcon 9 carrying the classified NROL-69 “Hummingbird” payload this afternoon from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 1:48 PM ET under sunny, hazy skies.

Some eight minutes and twenty-two seconds later, Booster B1092 finished its shift by returning to base at Landing Zone 1, a mere 5.6 miles away from the launch pad. A sonic boom heralded its arrival to the Space Coast.

Ascent: Falcon 9 passes the speed of sound as it ascends on March 24. 2025 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Ascent: Falcon 9 passes the speed of sound as it ascends on March 24. 2025
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Despite the 45th Weather Squadron forecasting 90% GO conditions yesterday, today’s launch seemed to be on the edge of acceptable launch conditions, as several times SpaceX commentators mentioned that the company was keeping an eye on the skies. Fortunately, the weather held, and the rocket flew on time at the start of the launch window.

Given that the payload is classified, information about this flight, such as the destination orbit, was not given. “Up there, thataway” is as accurate as any other unofficial description.

Payload

It’s classified. Those that know aren’t saying, and those that are saying don’t know.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

A Starlink launch is on the dock, this time Group 6-80 from SLC-40 at CCSFS.

Mission Starlink Group 6-80
Launch Window Opens Sunday, March 30, 2025, 3:16 PM EDT
Launch Window Closes Sunday, March 30, 2025, 7:45 PM EDT
Organization SpaceX
Launch Site Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Space Launch Complex 40
Rocket Falcon 9 Block 5
Status Awaiting Confirmation
Destination Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description Deployment of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Falcon 9 Descending: Booster B1092 nears its landing and a successful conclusion to its second mission.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

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A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off carrying the GSAT-20 mission on November 18, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral. File photo.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

SpaceX and NROL are planning to launch the classified NROL-69 payload today during the mid-afternoon local time. Liftoff is currently scheduled for 1:42 PM ET, with the launch window open until 2:24 PM later the same day. At T+ 8m22s, the Falcon 9 booster used for the flight will return to land at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral, and a sonic boom will reverberate through the Space Coast region afterwards.

At A Glance

Mission NROL-69
Launch Window Opens 1:42 PM EDT
Launch Window Closes 2:24 PM EDT
Organization SpaceX
Launch Site Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA
Rocket Falcon 9 Block 5
Status Go for Launch
Destination Classified
Mission Description Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office

Assuming a 1:42 PM ET liftoff, here is the sequence of events for the day:

Event Time After Liftoff Clock Time (EDT)
Max Q (Maximum Aerodynamic Pressure) 00:01:07 1:43:07 PM
1st Stage Main Engine Cutoff (MECO) 00:02:14 1:44:14 PM
1st and 2nd Stages Separation 00:02:17 1:44:17 PM
2nd Stage Engine Start (SES-1) 00:02:25 1:44:25 PM
Boostback Burn Start 00:02:31 1:44:31 PM
Fairing Deployment 00:03:07 1:45:07 PM
Boostback Burn End 00:03:25 1:45:25 PM
1st Stage Entry Burn Start 00:06:37 1:48:37 PM
1st Stage Entry Burn End 00:06:58 1:48:58 PM
1st Stage Landing Burn Start 00:07:50 1:49:50 PM
2nd Stage Engine Cutoff (SECO-1) 00:08:21 1:50:21 PM
1st Stage Landing 00:08:22 1:50:22 PM

Trajectory

The anticipated trajectory for this launch is northeastward.

Weather

The US Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45 is calling for conditions to be 90% GO during the launch window.

Online Viewing

SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: NROL-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 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. Playalinda Beach will also be open, but be sure to go early if that is your plan.

If you are interested in watching the landing, your best bet is Jetty Park. If the launch is what you’re after, the southern Titusville parks or the Banana River Bridge on 528W is where to go.

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.

The view from The Space Bar in Titusville.
Entry is free, drinks and food are priced at the mid-range level.

Cocoa Beach or the Cocoa Beach Pier area is also very good, but ignition won’t be visible and it will take several seconds for the rocket to clear obstructions between the launch pad and viewers.

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It was a good day to have a good day here in Florida, and that’s exactly what NASA, SpaceX and Crew 10 had today at Kennedy Space Center.

Falcon 9 lifted off, carrying three astronauts and one cosmonaut toward orbit and the International Space Station just as the sun was starting to set in the west. Some seven and a half minutes later, SpaceX booster B1090 completed its duty for the day by landing at LZ-1 in Cape Canaveral, 8.8 miles south of LC-39A.

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Starlink 12-20 timelapse
The flight of SpaceX Starlink 12-20 from Rotary Riverfront Park in Titusville. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The flight of SpaceX Starlink 12-20 from Rotary Riverfront Park in Titusville.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

UPDATE: SpaceX announced March 3 that post-landing, there were issues with Booster B1086:

The first stage booster returned to Earth and landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean ~250 nautical miles off the coast of Florida. Following the successful landing, an off-nominal fire in the aft end of the rocket damaged one of the booster’s landing legs which resulted in it tipping over. While disappointing to lose a rocket after a successful mission, the team will use the data to make Falcon even more reliable on ascent and landing

Déjà vu all over again: SpaceX launched another 21 Starlink satellites from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this evening. Liftoff was at 9:24 PM EST, with Falcon 9 taking the southeasterly familiar path towards The Bahamas as has been the case with all other Starlink Group 20 launches.

Booster B1086 was on duty for its fifth mission this evening, which is completed successfully when it touched down aboard ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’ about 8.25 minutes after launching. Unfortunately, according to SpaceX, the booster was “lost” after “an off-nominal fire in the aft end of the rocket damaged one of the booster’s landing legs which resulted in it tipping over.”

Tonight’s landing was the 419th booster landing and the 112th landing on JRTI.

Twenty-five odd seconds after the booster landed, Falcon 9’s second stage achieved its initial orbit, and at T+ 00:53:58, the second stage refired its Merlin Vacuum engine in a brief orbit-rounding burn prior to payload deployment.

At 10:29 PM EST, SpaceX announced a successful payload deployment, marking the completion of another successful mission for the company, save for the loss of a relatively new booster.

Payload

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

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.

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.

Constellation: SpaceX has deployed thousands of satellite to date, creating a constellation that can provide extensive coverage and capacity across the globe.

Communication: They use advanced phased-array technology for beam forming, allowing for high-speed data transmission to ground stations and user terminals.

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

Starlink serves over five million customers in over 100 countries worldwide. The service currently has more than 7,000 Starlink satellites in orbit.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

SpaceX’s Starlink 12-21 is planned to launch early Wednesday morning.

  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Location: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Pad: Space Launch Complex 40
  • Status: To Be Confirmed
  • Status Info: Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
  • Window Opens: Wednesday, 03/05/2025 1:00:00 AM
  • Window Closes: Wednesday, 03/05/2025 5:31:00 AM
  • Destination: Low Earth Orbit
  • Mission Description: A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
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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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Starlink 13-1 lifts off from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on January 21, 2024. Photo: SpaceX
Starlink 13-1 lifts off from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on January 21, 2024. Photo: SpaceX
Starlink 13-1 lifts off from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on January 21, 2024. Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX launched Falcon 9 carrying 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit Tuesday morning from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was at 12:24 AM EST under cloudy skies and relatively cool weather.

Around eight minutes and a half minutes after lifting off, Booster B1083 completed its 8th mission when it touched down safely on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, which was stationed offshore downrange. Previously, B1083 had flown Crew-8, Polaris Dawn, CRS-31, Astranis: From One to Many, and three Starlink missions, all successfully. ASOG and B1083 will now return to Port Canaveral for offloading and preparation for B1083’s next flight.

The second stage continued to orbit during the booster’s landing sequence and at 1:33 AM EST, SpaceX confirmed the deployment of the payload:

Payload

Individual Starlink satellites are part of Starlink constellation, which provides broadband-level Internet access all over the world, especially in remote areas. Currently, there are roughly 7,000 Starlink satellites in orbit. When each satellite reaches its end-of-life, it is deorbited by SpaceX in order to prevent any accumulation of space debris from the system.

A real-time graphic representation of Starlink satellites in orbit provided by satellite.space.

Launch Replay

Spaceflight Now archives launch coverage on their YouTube channel. Here is last night’s coverage.

Next Launch

Another Falcon 9 / Starlink launch is scheduled for Friday, January 24th.

  • Date: NET January 24, 2025
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 10-12
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Window: 5:45 – 10:15 PM EST
  • Payload: Starlink satellites
  • Destination: Low-Earth Orbit

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