File photo: Starlink launching in 2023 from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
SpaceX is planning to launch another tranche of Kuiper satellites for Amazon from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Monday evening after weather delays stopped previous attempts last week. The current launch window opens at 08:08 PM ET (0008 Z), and closes at 10:22:00 PM the same day. Weather here at the launch site is all but perfect, but out at sea, conditions in the expected booster landing area will remain a concern for at least another couple of days.
After launching and powering the initial ascent phase for the mission, Booster 1091-2 will complete its second mission by landing on ASDS ‘Just Read the Instructions’, which is stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean.
Should it be required, a backup launch opportunity is available on Tuesday, October 14 starting at 7:46:00 PM ET.
At A Glance
Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Project Kuiper (KF-03) — Go for Launch!
Organization
SpaceX
Customer / Payload Provider
Amazon Kuiper Systems
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
Monday, 10/13/2025 8:08 PM
Window Closes
Monday, 10/13/2025 10:22 PM
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
Third of a three-launch contract for Amazon’s Kuiper low Earth orbit
satellite internet constellation, with 24 satellites on board.
Broadcast Start Time
Coverage typically begins ~15 minutes before launch.
As of 11:48 AM Friday October 10, 2025. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult
SpaceX.com
for more information.
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron of the US Space Force’s Launch Delta 45 has forecast a 95% chance of acceptable conditions at The Cape, and they have also outlined concerns in the booster recovery area.
Trajectory
The vehicle is expected to insert its payloads into a roughly 630 km altitude, 52° inclination orbit — the same operational orbit used for prior Kuiper launches.
Payload
Tonight’s launch carries 24 Kuiper satellites, built for Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation. These spacecraft are designed for broadband internet delivery, each outfitted with advanced phased-array antennas and inter-satellite laser links to route data across the network.
Together, they will bolster a growing low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband mesh that Amazon aims will eventually consist of over 3,200 satellites to provide global high-speed internet access.
Once in service, these 24 new Kuiper satellites will add capacity and redundancy to the live network. They’re expected to support continuous global coverage in coordination with previously launched Kuiper craft, making the network more robust against outages or orbital anomalies.
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.
The Space Bar will be open through the launch window. Restaurants in Port Canaveral, specifically Gators Dockside, Fishlips and Grills Seafood should have good views after the rocket clears obstructions.
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.
Launch Viewing: Online
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Kuiper KF-03. 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.
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.
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:
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.
Late this afternoon, SpaceX is planning to launch Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral to add to its constantly expanding constellation of Starlink satellites.
This time a Group 6 launch, meaning it is a southeastward launch. It will be into very late afternoon skies on the first day of Standard time and sunsets an hour (by the clock) earlier than the day before. The launch window extends from 4:57 PM EST to 8:03 PM and is expected to be under pleasant skies and an onshore breeze.
At A Glance
Mission: Starlink 6-67
Date: NET November 3, 2024
Launch Window: 4:57 PM EST — 8:03 PM EST*
Weather: 90% GO
Organization: SpaceX
Rocket: Falcon 9
Trajectory: Southeast
Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Booster Landing: ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’
A graphic representation of Starlink satellites in orbit from SatelliteMap.Space
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 is an Internet service serving over four million customers in over one hundred countries and territories globally.
To date, SpaceX has not released any renderings of its Starlink Mini v2, which is the bulk of the units that they have been launching over the last several months.
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. This is pretty close to a perfect forecast for the launch site, but the 45th is also listing a moderate concern in the Booster Landing Area. No further information is given.
Primary concerns are cumulus clouds in the Cape Canaveral area.
Launch Viewing: In Person
The best free options are available for spectators: the Banana River Bridge on FL 528 West or the southern Titusville parks on Washington Avenue / US-1 or the beaches.
Jetty Park will be open. There is an entry fee.
The Space Bar will be open through the launch window. New York New York in Titusville will be closing right as the window opens. Restaurants in Port Canaveral, specifically Gators Dockside, Fishlips and Grills Seafood should have good views after the rocket clears obstructions.
Launch spectators on the beach at Jetty Park. Falcon 9 ascending is the orange dot in the top left quarter of the photo. (click to enlarge) Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
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.
Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream you listen to on your phone 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. If you are watching in person, expect ignition to happen a few seconds before you hear it on launch coverage on your device. The gap can vary so a real-time countdown clock is handy.
Next Space Flight is 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.
Online Viewing
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 6-67. 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.
Polaris Dawn on the launch pad. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
SpaceX plans to launch Polaris Dawn early tomorrow morning from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center, with four astronauts aboard a Crew Dragon.
The launch is scheduled for 3:38 AM EDT, with two additional launch opportunities within a four-hour window at 5:23 AM EDT and 7:09 AM EDT. If, for some reason, the launch does not happen tomorrow morning, backup opportunities are available on Wednesday, September 11th at the same times.
Falcon 9 on the launch mount at LC-39A with a storm approaching from the west this morning. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Booster B1083 will be making its fourth flight on this mission. It has been in service since March, 2024 when it launched the Crew-8 mission from KSC. Its two other flights were Starlink missions.
At A Glance
Mission: Polaris Dawn
Date: NET September 10, 2024
Launch Window: 03:38 AM – 07:09 AM EDT*
Weather: 40% Go during the primary launch window
Organization: SpaceX / Polaris Program
Rocket: Falcon 9
Trajectory: Northeast
Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
Booster Landing: ASDS ‘ Just Read the Instructions’
Payload: Crew Dragon ‘Resilience’ with four crew members
The US Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron has slightly less than a 50/50 chance that weather will be acceptable for tomorrow morning’s launch attempt, rating the Probability Of Violation at 60%. They also list moderate concerns through the ascent corridor, where good conditions are critical in the event of a launch abort.
via the 45th Weather Squadron. Retrieved 3:00 PM EDT September 9, 2024
Trajectory
Northeastwards, at around 51.8 degrees.
Launch spectators on the southeastern coast may get a view of the launch as it ascends from Kennedy Space Center — depending on local conditions and clouds between them and the rocket.
Payload
Crew Dragon Resilience, with four astronauts aboard: Jared Isaacman, Mission Commander; Scott “Kidd” Poteet, Mission Pilot; Sarah Gillis, Mission Specialist; and Anna Menon, Mission Specialist and Medical Officer.
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Polaris Dawn. This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage will start about 3.5 hours prior to 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
Given that this is a launch from Kennedy Space Center with no booster return to the Cape, Max Brewer Bridge and the northern Tistusville parks on Washington Avenue (US1) are your best bets: Space View Park, Rotary Riverview Park and others.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Canaveral National Seashore will be closed for the evening, but if the launch pushes past 6AM EDT, those areas should be open.
Falcon 9 sitting on the launch mount at Space Launch Complex on August 3. 2024. After a beautiful sunrise, conditions slowly deteriorated Satruday. The launch was scrubbed at around 10AM later the same day. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Official Forecast Has Low Confidence In A Clean Range Weatherwise
After Saturday’s scrub, SpaceX stated it would attempt to launch Falcon 9 and the Northrup Grumman Cygnuns NG-21 mission towards the International Space Station Sunday morning.
“SpaceX is targeting Sunday, August 4 for Falcon 9’s launch of Northrop Grumman’s 21st Cygnus mission (NG-21) to the International Space Station from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 11:02 a.m. ET.”
Why Saturday’s Attempt Was Scrubbed
About 90 minutes before Saturday’s planned liftoff at 11:21 AM EDT, a line of heavy thundershowers brushed over Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Launch Complex 40. Another squall line with anvil clounds with potential lightning was heading towards the Cape when mission managers made the call to waive off the attempt for the day.
The launch window was instantaneous, meaning SpaceX could not delay the launch time to let the storms pass.
Weather Forecasters Not Confident For Sunday
The 45th Weather Squadron is pessimistically rating Sunday’s chances at only 10% GO:
Via 45th Weather Squadron Retrieved August 3. 2024 02:00 PM EDT
Their discussion is nearly as dismal as the launch chances: “The Space Coast will remain on the eastern side of the system upon its slow approach Sunday, with fast moving squalls bringing numerous rounds of heavy rain and strong winds. As a result, the Probability of Violation (POV) is very high for the initial launch window Sunday morning,” says the 45th.
“For the backup launch window Monday morning, the weather will remain poor with a similar POV as deep tropical moisture lingering as the Tropical System slides into the Florida Big Bend and Northeast Florida. Winds will remain strong with tropical squalls moving through Central Florida.”
But, it’s Florida, and a one in ten chance can end being all that SpaceX needs to successfully launch and land Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Falcon 9 lifts off in January lofting the Northrup Grumman NG-21 payload towards ISS. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Update: 12 PM EDT Saturday
A wave of thunderstorms passed through the Cape Canaveral area around 90 minutes before liftoff Saturday, forcing SpaceX to stand down from its launch attempt today.
Due to unfavorable weather, we are standing down from today's launch of @northropgrumman's NG-21 mission. Next launch opportunity is Sunday, August 4 → https://t.co/bsNx0Xb6I3
The company said in a latter post on X.com that they would try again tomorrow, but with a 90% Probability of Violation and an approaching tropical system off of Florida’s west coast, the chances of that don’t seem very high. Monday’s forecast is equally squirrelly as the system is forecast to arc through northern Florida, creating storm squalls and windy conditions across the state.
On the other hand, it’s Florida and the weather here can be unpredictable. So, we’ll see when SpaceX can get this launch off of the pad.
—————-
SpaceX is planning to launch Falcon 9 carrying the NG-21 ISS Resupply mission for Northrup Grumman. Liftoff Saturday morning is set 11:28 AM EDT (1538Z) in an instantaneous window from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
SpaceX plans for the booster to return and land at Landing Zone 1 in Cape Canaveral. The Space Coast will hear a sonic boom from the booster as it herald’s its return, which should happen approximately 7.5 minutes after liftoff.
Weather is a major concern for this launch, as a tropical disturbance’s passing to the west in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to bring heavy rains to the Space Coast over the weekend. Current forecasts are calling for weather to arrive sometime Saturday, so the timing of the storm coupled with the normal storm activity of Florida in summer leaves forecasters calling the chances of acceptable weather a coin flip with a 50% chance of a Probability of Violation at launch time.
At A Glance
Mission: Northrup Grumman NG-21
Date: NET August 3, 2024
Launch Window: 11:28AM EDT (1528 Zulu)
Weather: 50% GO at launch time
Organization: SpaceX
Rocket: Falcon 9
Trajectory: Northeastward
Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Booster Landing: Landing Zone 1, CCSFS
Payload: Cygnus CRS-2 NG-21 (S.S. Francis R. “Dick” Scobee)
Destination: International Space Station
Payload
Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus (S.S. Francis R. “Dick” Scobee) cargo spacecraft, loaded with scientific investigations, supplies, and equipment.
Graphic: NASA
According to NASA, the payload includes:
Test articles to evaluate liquid and gas flow through porous media found in space station life support systems.
Microorganisms known as Rotifers to examine the effects of spaceflight on DNA repair mechanisms.
A bioreactor to demonstrate the production of many high-quality blood and immune stem cells.
Vascularized liver tissue to analyze the development of blood vessels in engineered tissue flown to the space station.
Weather
General Forecast
The forecast at launch time looks relatively benign:
Temperature
28.9°C
Humidity
~65%
Precipitation
None, Probably
Cloud cover
Variable
Windspeed (at ground level)
10-15 MPH / 4.5-6.7 m/s
Visibility
~16.5 miles / 27.0 km
Official Launch Forecast
The 45th Weather Squadron’s discussion in their launch forecast mentions the tropical system noted above. “All eyes will remain on Potential Tropical Cyclone Four (PTC 4) as it lifts out of the Greater Antilles and into the Gulf of Mexico. The official forecast from the National Hurricane Center has the system becoming a named storm Saturday and skirting the western Florida Peninsula Sunday, potentially making landfall as a Tropical Storm anywhere from the Florida Big Bend to southwest Florida.
Regardless of where the center of the storm makes landfall, the Space Coast will be on the eastern side of the system, and weather is likely to deteriorate with time from Saturday afternoon into Sunday. For the initial launch window, scattered showers are expected to approach the coastline out of the southeast and potentially move onshore.”
Their primary concerns that could necessitate a delay are: the Cumulus Cloud Rule, Surface Electric Fields Rule, and Thick Cloud Layers Rule.
via 4th Weather Squadron Retrieved 1600 EDT, 08/02/2024
Trajectory
Northeastwards.
Landing
The booster used for this mission, B1080, will land at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
A Falcon Heavy side booster firing up its engines to land last month at Cape Canaveral Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: NG-21 Mission. 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 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
This morning’s planned launch is from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are:
Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, where you will be able to see ignition, liftoff and the booster landing. Free.
Kennedy Space Center Vistor’s Center. From Apollo/Saturn V Center. Premium Launch Transportation Ticket. Bleacher seating is available, expert commentary, and closer view of the launch from across Banana Creek. Landing is pretty far away, relatively speaking. $70 for the launch viewing ticket plus entrance fees and parking. If you choose this go very early — lines will be long!
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.
Parking fees (probably). Pay with your smartphone on the parking app. There are signs everywhere telling you how.
Further away, but still good views. Launch and landing is indirect.
Northern Titusville Parks
Further away, but really nice views after liftoff.
You won’t see the landing directly, but instead from a good distance away.
Restaurants With Good Launch Views
The Space Bar ($$$) – atop the Courtyard Marriott near Kennedy Parkway
New York New York ($$) – on the Indian River with an outdoor seating area. Is family-friendly.
Shiloh’s ($$$) — located on the Indian River with an outdoor deck overlooking KSC/CCSFS
Playalinda Beach
Playalinda Beach out on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore should be open to spectators until 8 PM EDT, that is if KSC Security and the National Park Service allow viewers for the launch. Generally, they have been, but security concerns can differ for each launch. It opens to visitors at 6 AM.
If you are going to Playalinda, and if it is open, remember these general tips. Some may not apply to this particular launch.
Get there at least two hours early, or better, earlier than that. Lines are long at the entry gate and they will only allow as many spectator vehicles as there are parking space available.
Cape Canaveral National Seashore has a fee to get in and cash is not accepted. Debit and credit cards are okay, or if you have one of the National Park Service’s passes for the Seashore or the National Parks, that will work as well.
Cellphone service is spotty at best and often non-existent at Playalinda. Don’t count on your cellphone to keep up with the launch; you might get a signal, or you might not.
You are not allowed to view from the pullouts on Beach Road. Stanchions will block them. You’ll have to park and go to the beach.
Refreshments are not available. There are no stores at Cape Canaveral National Seashore, so you’ll need to bring drinks and food if you want any while you’re there.
Rangers will keep you back a certain distance from the launch area on the beach. Even if the beach is open, you’ll still be unable to go down to the fence that demarcates the normal security zone. There’s a line that spectators can’t go past somewhat north of the fence. That’s for safety and security.
Be prepared for potential changes or pushbacks in the launch schedule, and keep up by monitoring the live stream links mentioned above.
Booster: B0180
SpaceX states on their website, “This is the tenth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, SES ASTRA 1P, and four Starlink missions.”
That’s Booster B1080.
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
B1080 record as of June 20, 2024
Countdown Timeline
Hr/Min/Sec
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
Launch, Landing and Deployment
Hr/Min/Sec
Event
00:01:08
Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
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