Atlas V with the Kuiper 2 payload at LC-41. Photo: United Launch Alliance
Amazon’s satellite internet project, Kuiper, will continue its deployment today with the planned launch of the Kuiper K-02 mission at 1:25 PM ET aboard an United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket. This mission will deliver 27 operational satellites into low Earth orbit, adding to the 27 satellites deployed earlier this year in April.
The Kuiper project is Amazon’s initiative to provide broadband internet service through a constellation of satellites. Today’s launch is the second of a series that aims to meet the conditions set by the Federal Communications Commission, which require half of the planned 3,236 satellites to be in orbit by mid-2026. The full network is expected to be completed by mid-2029.
The Atlas V 551 rocket, used for this launch, is among ULA’s more powerful configurations. It includes five solid rocket boosters and a medium payload fairing.
Following deployment, the satellites will be elevated from their initial orbit of approximately 450 kilometers to an operational altitude of around 630 kilometers. From this position, they will begin supporting future broadband service coverage as part of Amazon’s long-term strategy to enter the satellite internet market.
Operational Strategy and Technology Capabilities
Each satellite in the Kuiper constellation is equipped with propulsion and communication technologies to maintain orbit and link with both ground stations and other satellites. The system includes inter-satellite laser links, which allow the satellites to pass data directly between one another. These optical links are designed to support high-throughput connections, improving the flexibility and resilience of the network.
The K-02 mission represents the continued transition from prototype to full-scale operations. The first launch in April tested Amazon’s satellite bus and operational model. With K-02, Amazon is moving forward with production models that are expected to serve as a foundational layer of the broader constellation. The mission is part of a deployment strategy that includes multiple launch providers and vehicle types, including upcoming launches on ULA’s Vulcan Centaur, SpaceX Falcon 9, and the European Ariane 6.
Amazon has publicly committed more than $10 billion to the development and deployment of the Kuiper constellation. The company is building out supporting infrastructure in tandem with the satellites, including user terminals and ground communication sites. The terminals, developed in-house, are designed to be compact and cost-effective. Amazon has said these terminals will support download speeds up to 400 Mbps and will be priced under $400, though full commercial service has not yet begun.
In the near term, newly launched satellites will undergo a series of health and status checks, after which their thrusters will be used to reach final orbit. Amazon’s Kuiper operations team, based in Redmond, Washington, is managing the process, which includes positioning, testing communication links, and preparing the satellites to eventually join the active broadband network.
The last Delta IV Heavy at LC-37A stands at the launch pad in April 2024. The rocket family is now retired and the infrastructure in this photo is now demolished. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Much of the infrastructure at Launch Complex 37’s launch pad was demolished in a controlled explosion today, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. For those who knew the site, who watched Delta IV rockets claw their way into orbit or remembered the echoes of the Apollo era, the moment was as much about letting go of the past as it was embracing the future.
Out With The Old, In With The New
The primary targets of Thursday’s demolition were the massive Mobile Service Tower and supporting infrastructure built for Delta IV operations. These towering steel and concrete structures were no longer needed and stood as reminders of a program that had fulfilled its mission. Shortly after 9:00 AM ET a series of explosive charges, precisely placed along key support points, triggered a cascading collapse. Within seconds, the launch tower folded in on itself, kicking up clouds of dust that drifted over the grounds where giants once stood.
Apollo 5 launches from LC-37 on January 22, 1968 Photo: NASA
Crews began rigging the complex for demolition earlier this spring, following the final Delta IV Heavy launch in April 2024. Afte that final flight, United Launch Alliance (ULA) has fully retired the Delta family, closing the door on a long-running chapter in the US launch industry. The demolition marks the next major step in a broader shift at Cape Canaveral, as SpaceX prepares to reshape LC-37 for its Starship launch system as well as at LC-39A.
In both cases, a final Environmental Impact Statement will be released in the coming months for both sites. A draft of the LC-37 EIS was recently released, with findings of No Significant Impact for all ecological, cultural and land use aspects of Starship launches at the site, albeit with one major exception: Starship launches will be the loudest rocket ever launched from the Space Coast, something the Draft EIS noted with its finding of a Significant Impact being the result of Starship launches from Cape Canaveral.
After the debris is cleaned up, new construction can begin in earnest.
Note: Talk of Titusville was unable to create any original photographs of the demolition or its aftermath, as this reporter is western Canada today.
Blue Origin’s CEO, Dave Limp, announced today that the second launch of the company’s New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral will be NET August 15, 2025.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn on its debut launch in January. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The mission will have detailed objectives that go beyond mere repetition of its maiden voyage, NG-1. Flight 2 will blend hardware validation with customer service mandates and data acquisition goals — a step toward establishing New Glenn as a frequent-operational vehicle in Earth’s orbit and beyond. It has not been explicitly stated that NG-2 will carry NASA’s ESCAPADE Martian satellites or Blue’s own Blue Moon MK-1 lander but those payloads are possibility.
via X.com
At the center of the NG-2 mission plan is the booster’s recovery. During the January 16 first flight of New Glenn, the seven-engine BE-4-powered first stage demonstrated a nominal ascent, clearing the vehicle to orbital insertion, but it failed to land on its barge deck.
The booster’s descent performance fell short of expectations due to uneven engine tank pressures during a planned restart, and the vehicle was lost during reentry. Blue Origin and the Federal Aviation Administration completed an investigation into the event in March, identifying seven corrective actions tied to propellant management and engine bleed systems to ensure successful recovery in subsequent flights.
Blue Origin’s recovery ship, Jacklyn, while docked in Port Canaveral.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
For Flight 2, Blue Origin intends to validate these fixes and aim for a controlled return and landing on its seagoing platform. Achieving that objective would significantly reduce launch costs and move New Glenn closer to reusability goals — an explicit part of its operational profile.
A second area of focus for Flight 2 is the rocket’s capacity to carry and service client payloads. External contracts from customers such as Amazon’s Kuiper constellation and NASA’s ESCAPADE mission require demonstrated reliability. New Glenn rocket was given NASA Category 1 Certification after NG-1. This classification signifies that the New Glenn is qualified to launch high-risk tolerance missions (Class D). Class D missions typically involve lower priority payloads with medium to low complexity.
Originally manifested on Flight 1, ESCAPADE was reassigned due to integration delays. NASA’s fiscal 2026 budget text indicates it is targeting Flight 2 for launch readiness in quarter four of fiscal 2025 — that is, July through September 2025. That would align with NG-2.
Artist’s rendering of ESCAPADE in orbit over Mars Graphic: NASA
Equally vital is a robust performance of the second stage, known as GS2. That upper stage planned for NG-2 completed a successful hot-fire test in late April, executed at Blue Origin’s facility at their Cape Canaveral’s LC-36 launch complex. The burn, lasting several minutes, engaged the pair of BE-3U engines in conditions representative of vacuum ignition. Flight 2 will aim to repeat and refine this performance, establishing fidelity of orbital insertion timing, orbital stability, and upper-stage restart logic. Any inconsistencies during prolonged burns could compromise payload delivery, a risk Blue Origin must manage to satisfy future clients.
Additional objectives include flight characteristics during ascent. First-stage performance under full-load ascent needs to be validated post investigation, including thrust vector control, separation dynamics, and second‑stage ignition timing. These aspects conducted within uncrewed mission parameters serve to expand the company’s internal flight data metrics and enable iterative design refinement.
New Glenn’s BE-4 engines in flight. Blue Origin plans to test the engine’s restart capabilities on NG-2
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
A technical objective of note is Stage 2 restart capability. Flight 1 employed two burns to reach medium earth orbit, with the second occurring about one hour after liftoff. Precise execution of multiple back-to-back burns and control of stage stability across long coast periods will be revisited during Flight 2. Such activity must support more complex orbital insertions or deployments, including geostationary transfer and interplanetary trajectories.
Data gathering is another significant objective for Flight 2. The maiden flight returned telemetry not only from in-flight propulsion and stage performance, but also from the Blue Ring Pathfinder spacecraft, which tested payload-hosting capabilities. Extended duration performance, thermal conditions, avionics interactions, and stage-to-payload stability are all expected to see additional refinement during the second flight. All of these data sets feed directly into Blue Origin’s customer engagement strategy and future flight manifesting. Moreover, the data obtained from the second flight of New Glenn was further inform Blue Origin’s engineers as they refine New Glenn and its operation.
Flight 2 will follow the conclusion of necessary FAA review and re-certification processes. That review probed the booster failure and mandated system updates. Aviation regulators and technical backup teams have signaled that New Glenn is green-lighted to resume flights, provided all identified corrective steps have been applied.
From a strategic perspective, Flight 2 serves as an audition for national security missions in addition to NASA flights. New Glenn received certification for National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 2, positioning the rocket for critical Department of Defense and NRO contracts. Demonstrating reliability in payload delivery booster recovery will determine whether New Glenn becomes a fixture in U.S. strategic payload delivery. Booster performance, booster recovery as well as second stage performance and on-orbit reliability will demonstrate the company’s capabilities.
Timing
One must remain mindful of real-world variables: the weather at Cape Canaveral, barge positioning in the Atlantic, integration timelines for customer payloads, and operational readiness all influence the date. While the August 15th date is the prime target for the flight, Blue Origin will hold as long as needed to preserve mission integrity. The old adage applies here: “Fly when ready. Don’t fly until you are ready.”
Blue Origin New Glenn on the launch mount at LC-36. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville.
What’s At Stake?
Flight 2, then, is a multifaceted test: a demonstration of recovery, payload delivery, propulsion resilience, and market viability. Beyond the hardware itself, the logistical and regulatory choreography behind the scene also comes under real-world assessment. Each objective supports a broader ambition to match cadence, reliability, and cost-competitiveness with established launch providers.
Should Flight 2 proceed as scripted, Blue Origin expects to build momentum toward the next six to eight missions planned through 2026. Those future missions include dual-launch capabilities, potential crewed flight compatibility, and more specialized interplanetary trajectories. But all of that depends on fixing what didn’t stick in Flight 1 and proving that New Glenn can operate reliably and repeatedly.
Ax-3 On The Launch Pad. AX-4 will be almost identical Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The fourth private mission to ISS is set to head to Station Wednesday morning at 8:22 AM ET, weather and technicals permitting. Weather offshore in the ascent corridor forced a scrub for Tuesday, due to unacceptable conditions on Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon’s path towards ISS.
The Mission
The mission—organized by Houston-based Axiom Space—represents a growing shift in space exploration: national pride and private enterprise, working hand in hand. It’s the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will fly to the ISS, and the vehicle taking them there is no less historic. The Crew Dragon capsule, designated C213, is the final capsule SpaceX plans to build under its current production schedule. This is its first flight.
C213’s official name has not been released to the public, and tradition calls for the first crew to fly it to also name the spacecraft. Expect to hear that name prior to the launch tomorrow.
A SpaceX Crew Dragon on the launch pad earlier in 2024.
The Crew
Peggy Whitson, courtesy Axiom Space
Leading the crew is Peggy Whitson, a name already etched into American spaceflight history. A retired NASA astronaut and now Axiom’s Director of Human Spaceflight, Whitson has spent more time in orbit than any other American—675 days in total. She’s flown on both the Space Shuttle and Soyuz, and this marks her fifth trip to space. Despite all that experience, she said the diversity and ambition of this mission makes it feel new again.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of space exploration,” Whitson told reporters before launch. “This is about opening access, building partnerships, and pushing science forward.”
Shubhanshu Shukla, courtesy Axiom Space
Sitting beside Whitson in the cockpit is Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, making history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. At 39, Shukla is a veteran test pilot, having flown everything from MiG-21s to Su-30s. He was part of India’s astronaut corps for the upcoming Gaganyaan program, and this mission is seen as a critical stepping stone for India’s human spaceflight ambitions.
For Shukla, the symbolism runs deep. “To represent India in this way is both humbling and thrilling,” he said. He’s carrying with him a suite of Indian microgravity experiments—including studies on tardigrade survival, plant growth, and stem cell behavior—that could lay the groundwork for India’s long-term research goals in orbit.
Sławosz Uznański, courtesy Axiom Space
Joining them is Sławosz Uznański, a Polish engineer and the first representative of his country in space since 1978. Back then, it was Mirosław Hermaszewski aboard a Soviet Soyuz. This time, it’s Uznański flying under the banner of the European Space Agency as a mission specialist. A former CERN engineer and ESA reserve astronaut, Uznański’s path to space was defined more by science than by spectacle. His role on Ax-4 emphasizes research, including a number of biomedical and Earth-monitoring experiments designed by Polish institutions.
Hungary, too, is returning to space after a four-decade absence. Tibor Kapu, an engineer selected under the Hungarian government’s HUNOR program, became only the second Hungarian to ever fly in space. He beat out nearly 250 applicants for the role. The first, Bertalan Farkas, flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1980.
Tibor Kapu, courtesy Axiom Space
Kapu’s mission is both technical and symbolic. “This is not just a mission for Hungary,” he said before launch. “It’s for all the small nations looking toward the stars and asking if they can be part of the next chapter.”
Together, the Ax-4 crew brings four national flags and a shared sense of purpose to orbit. Their flight to the ISS will last roughly 14 days and includes more than 60 research projects from 31 countries—an international science effort that spans biology, medicine, technology, and Earth science. The scope is ambitious: studies on glucose regulation that could impact diabetes treatment, advanced materials testing in zero gravity, and new methods for monitoring joint health in long-duration missions.
Trajectory
About 45 degrees from true north.
An easterly looking view of Axiom 4’s flight trajectory. The first stage activities are labeled. The second stage (and crew) will follow the arcing line over the horizon. Graphic: Charles Boyer using Google Earth Pro.
This is a Return to Landing Site mission, meaning Booster B1094 will be landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Landing Zone 1, the site of the old LC-13. A sonic boom will herald the arrival of the booster to the Space Coast.
Falcon 9’s booster flight profile for Axiom 4 Graphic: Charles Boyer using Google Earth Pro.
The Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron on Space Launch Delta 45 released their L-1 (one day prior to launch) forecast for Axiom 4: 95% go at the launch site, but a high risk in the ascent corridor.
This necessitated a scrub, with events now moved to NET Wednesday, June 11th. The weather on Wednesday is somewhat worse at the launch site: a 1-in-5 chance of a weather-related scrub at the launch site (80% GO) and only slightly better conditions on the spacecraft’s path towards orbit.
Why This Matters
If something goes wrong during launch (engine failure, system anomaly, etc.), the crew capsule—SpaceX’s Crew Dragon—has the ability to abort and separate from the rocket at any point in the ascent. After separation, it parachutes down into the Atlantic Ocean.
That means the entire flight path up the East Coast, from Florida to somewhere past Ireland, must have acceptable weather conditions for:
Rescue operations (search-and-rescue boats and helicopters need to reach the crew quickly)
Survivability (waves, wind, and visibility must not endanger the capsule or the astronauts)
Recovery asset safety (ships and aircraft can’t operate in dangerous storms)
Even if the launch pad weather is perfect, bad weather anywhere along the ascent corridor can delay a launch. NASA and SpaceX have multiple pre-designated splashdown zones, and each one must meet strict criteria for wind speeds, wave heights, lightning risk, and cloud cover during launch.
Privately Operated Missions: The Way of the Future
Axiom Space has carved out a unique model for missions like this. Unlike traditional government-led flights, the Ax-4 mission is privately operated and commercially funded, with participating countries contributing financially or technically in exchange for astronaut slots. This hybrid approach allows smaller spacefaring nations to engage in human spaceflight without launching their own rockets or building their own stations.
The capsule they’re riding in—Crew Dragon C213—is another milestone. It’s the fifth and final new Dragon that SpaceX plans to produce under its current human spaceflight program. From here on, the company will rely on reusing existing vehicles. That C213 is debuting with such a historic, multicultural mission underscores the symbolic weight of the moment.
Axiom Space released this rendering of Axiom Station
Axiom Space is also developing its own privately-owned commercially operated space station. Axiom Station is currently under construction. The first module, the Payload Power Thermal Module (PPTM), are scheduled to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than 2027, according to Axiom Space and Wikipedia. The Habitat One (Hab-1) module is expected to launch no earlier than 2028. The Axiom Station is planned to be a commercial space station, with Axiom Space aiming to start operating a free-flying platform as early as 2028.
Ax-4 Flight Plans
Once aboard ISS, the crew will be integrated into daily life on the station, conducting experiments while also taking time for public outreach and cultural exchange. Whitson noted that the crew has trained extensively not just in operations but in working across language and cultural lines—an increasingly relevant skill set in today’s globalized approach to space.
The crew’s return is scheduled for late June after a roughly two-week stay aboard the orbiting outpost, though the exact splashdown date will depend on weather and recovery conditions in the Pacific. SpaceX recently moved crew landing operations to the Pacific offshore from southern California due to finicky conditions here in Florida.
The Department of the Air Force has released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which reviews the proposed repurposing of Launch Complex 37 (LC-37) for Starship launches at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
LC-37 At was used until recently by United Launch Alliance for Delta IV Heavy, with the last launch coming fourteen months ago when the last Delta IV Heavy built by ULA flew the NROL-70 for the National Reconnaissance Office.
At A Glance – A High Level Summary Of The Impacts
Talk of Titusville is still reading the document, which spans hundreds of pages.
The Draft outlines the anticipated environmental effects of permitting SpaceX to conduct up to 76 Starship launches and landings per year at the site, along with associated construction, fueling, testing, and transportation activities. The document also represents the most detailed public blueprint to date of SpaceX’s plans for regular Starship operations in Florida.
Noise Impacts
A map shows the Noise Contours for a typical Starship launch. Also from the Draft:
Noise Impact Mitigations
From page 12 of the Executive Summary Noise Impact Mitigation:
Mitigation-3 is interesting — if it can be proven that sound damage from Starship has resulted in property damage, under Federal law, SpaceX is responsible for making the property owner whole again.
It was a typical summer’s day here on the Space Coast: at first, sunny and warm, humid with an ever-present threat of a thunderstorm lingering off in the distance.
Two hours before liftoff at 11:30 AM, it was clear that thunderstorms were coming towards Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
An hour and a half before today’s launch, while the countdown clock was ticking towards T-0, the skies made good on their threat of a thunderstorm, with plenty of lightning strikes and heavy showers near Space Launch Complex 40, where the GPS III-7 satellite, also known as SV-08, waited atop Falcon 9 for liftoff just before the end of the launch window at 1:38 PM Eastern Time.
One hour before launch, with the range still red, skies were lifting.
Fortunately, there was a short gap between the first passing storm and the next one springing up on the western horizon, and SpaceX took good advantage of it as Booster B1092 fired up for its fourth mission and headed into a suddenly blue sky.
Other than the interesting weather, it was a typically normal mission for SpaceX: ascent was completely normal, with the booster reaching orbit about the same time as the second stage and payload. B1092 landed offshore on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ safely at 8:29 a second after the company announced a nominal orbit insertion of stage 2 and GPS III-7.
At 01:38 PM, the sun was out, skies were blue and Falcon 9 roared off of the launch pad. Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
After additional burns of stage 2 were completed to place the payload precisely in its delivery location, GPS III-7 was deployed at T+01:29:28, marking another successful mission for SpaceX. It was the company’s 68th mission this year, and the 30th from SLC-40.
Payload
The Lockheed Martin GPS III-7 satellite is part of the next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation, delivering improved accuracy, resilience, and security to the overall system.
The GPS III series replaces older satellites to modernize the U.S. Space Force’s navigation infrastructure. GPS III-7 enhances positioning precision up to three times better than previous models and extends its lifespan to 15 years, reducing long-term costs and increasing operational reliability.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-19 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-19
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
Window Opens
Monday, 06/02/2025 12:57:00 AM EDT
Window Closes
Monday, 06/02/2025 4:57:00 AM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Starlink 10-32 in flight. Photo: Ed Cordero, ERC Photos
SpaceX sent another tranche of 27 Starlink satellites to orbit this morning when it launched Falcon 9 on the Starlink 10-32 mission from Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was at 9:30 AM ET from Launch Complex 39A beneath warm, summery skies.
Ascent was as expected as by all appearances, everything went to plan during the rise to orbit. Main Engine Cutoff (MECO) was at T+ 02:24, and Booster B1080 completed its 19th mission when it landed on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’ at T+ 08:09.
Starlink 10-32 lifts off, as seen from Kennedy Point Park in Titusville. Photo: Ed Cordero, ERC Photos
According to SpaceX, this is the same booster that launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, SES ASTRA 1P, NG-21, and 12 Starlink missions. ‘Just Read The Instructions’ will now return to Port Canaveral, where B1080 will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility on Roberts Road for processing and preparation for its next flight.
About the same time the booster was landing, the second stage and the payload of Starlink satellites were reaching orbit.
Payload
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed, launched and operated by SpaceX, providing high-speed internet access across the globe—especially in remote and underserved regions. Unlike traditional satellite internet systems that rely on a few large satellites in geostationary orbit, Starlink uses thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), about 550 kilometers above the surface.
This network of satellites forms a mesh of constantly moving nodes that relay data between user terminals on the ground and internet gateways. The lower altitude significantly reduces latency compared to older satellite systems. While traditional satellite Internet can have latencies of 600 milliseconds or more, Starlink aims for 20 to 40 milliseconds, making it viable for online gaming, video calls, and other real-time applications.
Each Starlink satellite weighs about 260 kilograms and is equipped with multiple high-throughput antennas and a single solar array for power. The satellites use phased-array antennas to dynamically steer beams of data as needed, optimizing coverage and performance. Some newer models are also equipped with laser links that allow satellites to communicate with each other directly, reducing the need to bounce data through ground stations and increasing the system’s resilience.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Falcon 9 Block 5 | GPS III SV08 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | GPS III SV08
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
SpaceX launched their 57th mission of 2025 this afternoon from Cape Canaveral when the company sent the Starlink 6-67 mission to low Earth orbit aboard Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 12:38 PM EDT, right at the opening of the launch window.
Liftoff of Starlink 6-67. Photo: Ed Cordero, Florida Media Now
Following a “norminal” initial ascent and stage separation, Falcon 9 first-stage booster B1090 touched down on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ in the Atlantic Ocean, concluding its fourth flight. This booster previously launched the SES O3b mPOWER-E, Crew-10 and Bandwagon-3 missions, and will now return to Port Canaveral for offloading and refurbishment at SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center prior to its next flight.
The second stage and payload also had a “norminal” day, where they reached orbit a little more than eight minutes after liftoff. At 1:47 PM ET, SpaceX announced a successful payload deployment, marking another successful mission for the company (pending second stage disposal).
Starlink 6-67 rising on May 14. 2025 Photo: SpaceX
Payload
Today’s payload was 28 Starlink satellites that will now join the other Starlink satellites from Group 6 in the Starlink constellation.
That array of satellites provides Internet connectivity globally to over five million customers in over 125 countries and territories, spanning all seven continents.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Another group of Starlink satellites are scheduled to launch NET Monday evening:
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-15 Mission Details
Mission
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 12-15
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
Window Opens
Monday, 05/19/2025 11:40:00 PM EDT
Window Closes
Tuesday, 05/20/2025 12:46:00 AM EDT
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Please note that the launch window times are provided in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
For the most current information regarding the launch schedule and status, please refer to official updates from SpaceX.
The skies surrounding the Cape are a very busy place: they are used by airliners heading to and from nearby Orlando International Airport, by private pilots who enjoy a plethora of airport choices in the immediate vicinity: two in the Titusville area, another on Merritt Island across the river from Cocoa Village, Orlando Melbourne International airport and others. And that’s before one considers military activity at Patrick Space Force Base, the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and of course the former Shuttle landing facility at Kennedy Space Center.
Keeping those skies safe and orderly for pilots and passengers is a gargantuan task before rockets are even considered, and once launch activities are added, things get even busier.
The FAA’s Role
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees the licensing and safety of private and commercial aviation as well as commercial space launches and reentries, ensuring they are safely integrated into the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). Their job is to protect people — whether in planes, on the ground, or at sea — from potential hazards during operations of both airplanes and rockets.
The pace of space launches and reentries is increasing steadily year over year, and to accommodate the increased traffic, the FAA is working to
keep airspace open longer before closure;
reduce how much airspace is closed and for how long;
reopen airspace sooner after it is no longer needed;
reroute only the aircraft directly affected by the operation;
track space vehicles in near-real time during flight; and
respond quickly to missions experiencing an anomaly.
Seven years ago, in 2018, the FAA shortened the period of time that airspace was closed for space operations from four hours to two, which provided some relief to aircraft trying to traverse the region around the launch.
Within the FAA, the Office of Commercial Space Transportation reviews whether space companies comply with licensing rules, including scrutinizing their flight safety analyses. Meanwhile, the Air Traffic Organization’s Office of Space Operations manages airspace use and enforces the Acceptable Level of Risk (ALR) policy to safely fit space missions into the NAS. These two offices work closely to apply the ALR policy effectively.
Factors Affecting Launch Licensing
In addition to vehicle safety relative to people and property, the FAA considers the following factors (in addition to other relevant factors) in determining whether a commercial space operation may proceed as requested or whether alternative approaches are required:
The location and timing of the proposed commercial space operation
The number of flights and/or passengers that will be affected by the operation
Holidays or significant events that result in more NAS congestion generally or in specific areas of the country (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Spring break, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Super Bowl, significant military operations/exercises)
Launch window duration
Nighttime v. daytime launches: The FAA encourages commercial space operations to take place during nighttime hours (to the extent practicable) when other flight operations tend to be reduced
Mission purpose: The FAA generally will prioritize commercial space operations that (1) have a national security purpose or are in the national interest and/or (2) commercial space launches carrying payloads
Those steps are taken to balance the needs of stakeholders utilizing the airspace in the launch corridor and are part of an Airspace Management Plan that is developed for each launch.
Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs)
Before any launch or reentry, the FAA designates Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) to keep uninvolved aircraft clear of potential danger zones. The boundaries of these areas—covering location, size, and timing—are carefully calculated to keep the risk of an aircraft being hit by debris to less than one in a million.
Sample AHA and DRA map, via The FAA
Debris Response Area (DRA)
Beyond AHAs, the FAA can establish a Debris Response Area (DRA) as a backup safety measure. If a space vehicle malfunctions and debris enters the airspace unexpectedly, a DRA allows the FAA to swiftly reroute aircraft and block others from entering the affected zone.
A DRA is only activated if an anomaly occurs and only in airspace where the FAA can maintain reliable communication with pilots through surveillance and radio coverage. The DRA stays in effect until all falling debris from the launch has reached the ground.
Instructing Aircraft When a Debris Response Area is Activated
If a DRA is activated, the FAA will issue an alert to all affected aircraft and airports, provide individual aircraft instructions while it remains in effect, and issue a closeout alert when it is deactivated.
While the DRA is active, the FAA acts to mitigate the risk to aircraft exposed to falling debris. In general, the FAA will instruct aircraft as follows:
Airborne aircraft inside the DRA and traveling to an underlying airport can continue and land.
Airborne aircraft inside the DRA and traveling through are directed to exit expeditiously.
Airborne aircraft outside the DRA but en route to it are directed not to enter.
Aircraft at airports inside the DRA will not be cleared for takeoff.
Aircraft at airports outside the DRA will be rerouted to avoid the DRA or be held on the ground.
The FAA airspace management plan for the launch, including pre-coordinated DRAs, is shared with international air traffic control partners and other stakeholders in advance of the operation; however, the DRA procedures are generally not applied in non-U.S. airspace.
The FAA, May 2025
Informing The Public
The FAA issues regular from the Air Traffic Control System Command Center, and it will advise of spaceflight activities:
Sample ATCSCC advisory
They also issue NOTAMs, (Notice to Airmen), notifications issued to pilots and other aviation personnel to alert them about potential hazards or changes in the National Airspace System (NAS) due to space launch or reentry activities:
Sample Space Related NOTAM
All of these activities require careful consideration and cooperation from all parties involved: launch operators, the Eastern Range, and the FAA itself. It is a complicated dance at times, and one that is sure to get even more complex as the launch rate from Florida increases.
Falcon 9, Booster B1077, Astranis ‘From One To Many,’ September 20, 2024
Last night the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) convened a virtual public meeting to gather stakeholder input on the SpaceX Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed modifications at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC‑40) on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The session—rescheduled after an April 16 meeting was derailed by a nationwide Zoom outage—marked a critical opportunity for local residents, environmental advocates, industry representatives and government agencies to weigh in on SpaceX’s plan to increase Falcon 9 launch cadence and build a new first‑stage booster landing zone adjacent to the pad.
As it did in its March 2025 Draft EA, if the FAA grants the license modification with a FONSI (Finding Of No Significant Impact), Cape Canaveral could see a surge of Falcon 9 activity, which often sees two launches per week currently.
Conversely, a decision to proceed to a full EIS would extend the timeline and add further analysis layers, delaying the proposed expansion.
Background
Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), any major federal action that may significantly affect the environment requires an environmental review. SpaceX has applied for a modification to its existing FAA launch license to:
Increase the number of Falcon 9 launches at SLC‑40 from 50 to up to 120 per year.
Construct and operate a new first‑stage landing zone (LZ) at SLC‑40 capable of supporting up to 34 booster landings annually. This new landing zone would replace the current areas at LC-13 at CCSFS, Landing Zone 1 and Landing Zone 2, which SpaceX has subleased while Vaya Space and also Phantom Space work towards their first launches on that site.
The FAA’s role is to evaluate potential environmental impacts of those actions—including noise, air quality, wildlife, cultural resources and socioeconomics—and to solicit public and agency comments before issuing a final determination: a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), a Mitigated FONSI, or a Notice of Intent to prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Rescheduled Virtual Meeting: May 8, 2025, 6:00–8:00 p.m. ET.
Extended Comment Deadline: May 15, 2025.
The FAA’s draft EA and associated notices were published in the Federal Register and in local outlets—including Florida Today and Hometown News as well as here at Talk of Titusville — and hard copies were deposited at area libraries in Brevard County.
The May 8 session was well attended and followed a structured agenda:
Opening Presentation by FAA facilitators, explaining NEPA, project scope, analysis methods and opportunities to comment.
Instructions for Commenting—attendees could provide verbal comments (recorded by a court reporter), or learn how to submit online via Regulations.gov (Docket FAA‑2025‑0114) or by mail to Ms. Eva Long at the FAA’s Reston address (address listed below)
Verbal comment session, with speakers called in the order of registration or hand-raising. Ground rules limited comments to three minutes each and reminded participants about public disclosure of any personal identifying information in their statements.
Roughly 30 – 40 stakeholders participated live, including local business owners, environmental interests, space industry representatives, and Brevard County officials.
The slide deck presented is available for review here:
In the meeting several speakers raised concerns about:
Noise impacts on nearby residential areas in Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island, requesting more analysis on cumulative effects of increased booster landings.
Marine life, particularly sea turtles and manatees, urging stronger mitigation—such as seasonal scheduling to avoid nesting periods.
Floodplain disturbance, questioning why alternative site footprints were not more fully evaluated.
Industry and Government Representatives from Space Florida and Brevard County Tourism highlighted the economic benefits:
Workforce growth: Increased launch activity sustains skilled aerospace jobs locally.
Tourism draw: More frequent launches could bolster space‑coast viewing tourism.
A SpaceX liaison clarified technical details:
The new LZ design minimizes environmental footprint by using existing cleared areas and established utility corridors.
Noise modeling showed booster landing sonic booms are low‑intensity and would fall well within the thresholds for no hearing or structural damage beyond base boundaries.
Federal and Military Agencies An official from Space Launch Delta 45 confirmed the policy shift requiring on‑site landings and noted that without a dedicated LZ at SLC‑40, SpaceX’s ability to support Department of Defense missions could be compromised after current off‑site permits expire in July 2025.
United Launch Alliance ULA has submitted written comments, mainly concerning operational impacts and disruptions to operations at their adjacent launch pad, and also financial responsibility in the case of any damage caused by SpaceX activities.
Attendees and those who could not join were reminded that all substantive comments, whether verbal tonight, submitted online via Regulations.gov under Docket FAA‑2025‑0114, or mailed to:
Ms. Eva Long FAA Environmental Specialist, c/o ICF 1902 Reston Metro Plaza Reston, VA 20190
Submissions must be received or post‑marked by May 15, 2025 to be incorporated into the Final EA.
Next Steps and Timeline
May 15, 2025: Close of public comment period.
Summer 2025: FAA reviews all comments, works with resource agencies on mitigation commitments, and prepares the Final EA.
Late 2025 (estimated): FAA issues either a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or determines that a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required.
Post‑FONSI: If approved, SpaceX would apply for the license modification and move into detailed design and construction of the landing zone, subject to any mitigation conditions outlined in the FONSI.
Significance for the Space Coast
The outcome of this EA process carries considerable weight for:
Commercial spaceflight growth on the Eastern Range, as SpaceX remains the primary launch provider at SLC‑40.
Local economy, with potential for sustained or expanded aerospace employment, supply‑chain activity, and tourism revenue.
Environmental stewardship, given Florida’s sensitive coastal ecosystems and flood‑prone terrain.
Key Elements of the Proposed Action
Page 17 of the FAA’s May 9 presentation (link above).
1. Launch Cadence Increase SpaceX seeks to more than double its annual Falcon 9 launches at SLC‑40, from 50 to as many as 120 per year. Also increased are static fires and booster landings based at SLC-40. This uptick supports both government (DOD, NASA) and commercial missions, aligning with national goals for assured access to space.
2. New Landing Zone Construction Currently, Falcon 9 first stages from Eastern Range missions land on downrange drone ships or at landing zones 1 and 2 (formerly SLC‑13). Space Launch Delta 45 policy now requires commercial boosters to land co‑located with their launch pad. The proposed LZ would occupy about 4 acres adjacent to SLC‑40, clearing approximately 0.25 acres within a 500‑year floodplain and involving installation of gas lines, a pedestal and minimal new disturbance.
3. Related Airspace Closures The FAA must also authorize temporary airspace restrictions to ensure public safety during launches and landings—another aspect under NEPA review.
Overview of Environmental Analyses
The EA examines numerous resource areas:
Noise: Time‑averaged sound from launches and static fire tests remains below FAA significance thresholds (65 dB A‑weighted Day‑Night sound level) beyond CCSFS and KSC boundaries. Sonic booms from standard trajectories occur over water; polar trajectory booms are not increasing above previously analyzed levels.
Air Quality & Emissions: Construction emissions and operational propellant burn were modeled using EPA‑approved methods and found to be minor.
Biological Resources: Consultations under the Endangered Species Act with USFWS and NMFS identified no new significant impacts to listed species; sonic boom impacts on critical habitat remain within prior assessed levels.
Cultural & Historic Resources: Section 106 coordination with the Florida State Historic Preservation Office and Tribal governments confirmed no adverse effects beyond already cleared conditions.
Floodplains & Wetlands: The limited encroachment into the floodplain triggered an explicit Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) under Executive Orders on floodplain management.
Socioeconomics & Land Use: Potential benefits include local job support for increased operations; land use changes remain confined within federal property.
Overall, the DRAFT EA concluded that neither the Proposed Action nor the No‑Action Alternative would cause individually or cumulatively significant environmental impacts—with recommended mitigation measures to be finalized in coordination with resource agencies.
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