Space Coast Archives - Page 10 of 34

June 18, 2025

Axiom 4 Set To Try Again On Sunday, June 22

Ax-3 On The Launch Pad Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Axiom 4, the privately operated crewed spaceflight, now has a confirmed launch date of June 22, 2025. The mission is slated to lift off at 3:42 AM ET, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

Originally scheduled for June 19, the flight window was pushed back as engineers addressed technical issues and concerns about the ISS leaks. The new timeline promises a mission duration ranging from 14 to 21 days to complete its planned research program.

“No one remembers launch delays, but no one ever forgets a real problem.”

–V.L. Pinson Sr., former ABMA and NASA veteran

The mission will utilize a Falcon 9 to carry the newly built Crew Dragon spacecraft C213 into low Earth orbit, marking the final Crew Dragon capsule to enter service in SpaceX’s original slate of capsules. The four-person crew—veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson commanding, Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, ESA’s Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Hungarian specialist Tibor Kapu—will conduct science and technology demonstrations aboard ISS during their flight.

Axiom Space first announced on April 3 that Ax-4 would launch no earlier than May, reflecting a cautious approach as technical reviews and ISS scheduling took shape.

By mid-April, the Ax-4 team was gearing up for a busy agenda aboard ISS with a target window of no earlier than late May. The packed schedule—includes biological experiments, materials science tests, and station maintenance tasks.

After some shifts to the right on the schedule, the mission stood ready to launch on June 10th, but weather in the ascent corridor forced mission managers to call of any launch attempt that day. The ascent corridor is the zone where Crew Dragon and its crew would land in the unlikely event of an abort. The zone extends offshore in the Atlantic Ocean from Kennedy Space all the way to Ireland, and weather inside it must be suitable — just in case.

The next day, the first launch attempt on June 11 was scrubbed after engineers detected a propellant leak in the rocket’s liquid oxygen system and called off the launch to remediate the issue.

Next, a pressure leak in the Zvezda service module on the ISS prompted NASA and Roscosmos to stabilize the module before approving further dockings, contributing to another postponement announced on June 12.

NASA, SpaceX and Axiom have now agreed on a launch attempt in the predawn hours of the first full day of summer: June 22nd. Falcon 9’s leaks have been resolved, the Space Station leak issue is now under control, and at this point, weather on the 22nd looks as though it will be acceptable for Axiom 4’s ascent into orbit.

The Indian Connection

For India’s space program, Ax-4 represents a milestone: it provides the first opportunity for an Indian astronaut to fly to ISS. Pilot and Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, part of ISRO’s cadre of astronauts, will carry out experiments developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation in fields ranging from microbial adaptation to muscle atrophy studies.

His flight will be the precursor to his upcoming flight aboard ISRO’s Gaganyaan-1, India’s first domestically built crewed orbital spacecraft. At 39, Shukla is a veteran test pilot, having flown everything from MiG-21s to Su-30s.

One Of America’s Most Astronauts Commands

Axiom 4 will be commanded by Peggy Whitson—a former NASA chief astronaut and current Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space—Ax-4 brings seasoned leadership to this venture. Whitson holds multiple Station records and is tasked with overseeing the flights to and from ISS. She has spent 665 days in space so far.

Poland and Hungary Returning To Spaceflight After 40 Years

Joining Whitson and Shukla 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.

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.”

June 16, 2025

Amazon Launching 27 Kuiper Satellites Today

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.

Trajectory

Northeast.

Weather

June 12, 2025

Delta IV Infrastructure Demolished at LC-37 This Morning

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.

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.

June 9, 2025

Blue Origin Announces Target Date For Second Flight of New Glenn

Blue Origin's New Glenn First Stage arriving at Launch Complex 36. Photo: Blue Origin

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 New Glenn launch — 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.

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 — 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.

NASA Escapade — 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.

June 9, 2025

Axiom 4 Set To Launch From Kennedy Space Center Wednesday Morning

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.

The Crew

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

June 6, 2025

DAF Releases Draft Starship Environmental Impact Statement for SLC-37

Starship Heavy lifts off from Boca Chica, Texas to start the IFT-6 mission. Photo: Richard Gallagher, FMN

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).

The Draft is months late, and had been expected December of 2024, six months ago.

From May 15, 2024: Notice of Environmental Impact Statement for Starship Launches From KSC’s LC-39A Filed

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.

You just have to prove it.

The Report

The entire document as released on June 6, 2025.

Read it for yourself here, or download directly from the Department of Air Force. If you are a resident of the Space Coast — all of it — this is required reading because it will be affecting your life.

There is an upcoming public commentary period, and Talk of Titusville urges you to add your thoughts — no matter how you feel — on the record.

Draft-SpaceX-Starship-Super-Heavy-CCSFS-Environmental-Impact-Statement Download

May 30, 2025

Between Storms, SpaceX Launches GPS III-7 Aboard Falcon 9

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.

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.

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.

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.

May 28, 2025

Launch Report: SpaceX Launches Starlink 10-32 From KSC This Morning

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.
Window Opens	Friday, 05/30/2025 1:23:00 PM EDT
Window Closes	Friday, 05/30/2025 1:38:00 PM EDT
Destination	Medium Earth Orbit
Mission Description	Eighth of ten GPS III missions.

May 14, 2025

Launch Report: SpaceX Sends Starlink 6-67 To Orbit In A Lunchtime Launch

Starlink 6-67 launch. Photo by Ed Cordero

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.

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).

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.

May 13, 2025

A Glimpse Into the FAA’s Role In Airspace Management For Rocket Launches

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.

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:

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:

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.