It’s summer, it’s Florida, and that means thunderstorms are a constant possibility, and next week is no different. According to the National Weather Service at 12pm today, tomorrow looks like a toss of the coin where whether is concerned:
“A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Windy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.”
The 45th Weather Squadron has issued an official Probability of Violation for tomorrow’s launch:
During the week, forecasters are predicting the possibility of a weak tropical system coming ashore somewhere Thursday on the Space Coast. While this will hardly be the sort of weather system that has native Floridians heading to Publix to stock up on necessities, it sounds like the kind of system that will bring a lot of rain to the area.
Graphic via NOAA. Retrieved 12pm June 17. Forecast may be out of date. Refer to current local weather reports for the latest information.
Rain and rocket launches do not happen at the same time as a general rule, of course, so it is very possible that any launch plans for later in the week — specifically Starlink 10-2 — could be affected.
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 10 to 15 mph.
The best advice: wait and see. It’s Florida and the weather forecast can be highly local and also can change very quickly.
Schedules Can Change Quickly
Keep in mind that launch dates and time can and do change quickly, even on days where the weather is great. One of the best ways to keep up with those changes is to visit Talk of Titusville’s Launch Calendar regularly to check the schedule.
Falcon 9 / Starlink 10-2 moments after shutdown and abort this afternoon.
Photo: Richard P. Gallagher / Florida Media Now
It looked like any other day with any other Falcon 9 launch…until it didn’t.
At T-0, Falcon 9’s Merlin engines ignited, but almost immediately shut down with the rocket still on the pad at Space Launch 40. This is a rare occurrence for a SpaceX launch, and it appeared to be an automated shutdown initiated by the rocket itself at a time when the onboard computer system is in control.
Around 5:25 PM EDT, SpaceX released the following statement: “Standing down from today’s Falcon 9 launch. A new target launch date will be shared once available.”
The rocket is safely on the pad and its propellant load is being detanked at the time of this writing. The payload is safe as well.
Update 06/15/2024 6PM EDT: the rocket is safed and will be diagnosed and repaired as necessary.
A couple of things to remember about spaceflight is that first of all, “It’s better to be on the ground fixing a problem than being in the sky and wishing you were on the ground fixing the problem.” Secondly, thousands of things have to go right and only one thing has to go wrong to cause an abort.
We will add to this story as more information becomes available.
About 20 minutes prior to the launch attempt of Starlink 10-2.
Falcon 9 Waits For Clearer Skies Under a Beautiful Sunset. Photo: Richard Gallagher, Florida Media Now
If there’s anything as certain as death or taxes, it’s that it will rain in the summer in Florida. For the last two days, rain has scuttled SpaceX’s best efforts to launch the Starlink 10-2 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with steady rain Wednesday shutting down the first attempt and yesterday, skies that were clearing, but not enough to allow a launch to proceed. They will try again today, and hope for better luck and bluer skies.
According to the company, “Liftoff is targeted for 4:31 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 8:19 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Saturday, June 15 starting at 4:07 p.m. ET.”
We’ve updated our original launch article with new weather information.
Payload
22 Starlink Mini V2 satellites, to be used in SpaceX’s orbital-based Internet service.
Starlink Mini V2 satellites being deployed in orbit. Photo: SpaceX
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron is forecasting a 95% chance of creating a Range Violation Thursday, meaning a mere 5% chance of acceptable conditions throughout the launch window. On Thursday, conditions improve slightly: 15% “Go”, with an 85%” Probability of Violation.
In their discussion, the 45th Weather Squadron states, “Daytime heating and the presence of the boundary will once again kick off numerous showers and storms by mid Friday afternoon with the exact location of activity dependent on how much north-northeasterly flow we see behind the boundary. Models continue to show the tendency for any activity to be inland of the Spaceport, especially heading further into the launch window. Anvil level flow will still be out of the west-northwest, though less robust than this evening, meaning that even with activity to the southwest anvil may still reach the Spaceport and these will remain the primary concern.”
Anvils are of course thunderclouds — they may or may not produce rain and/or thunder and lightning, but they do have enormous potential energy — and rockets are well known to create lightning strikes. That in mind, the 45th and launch providers won’t launch if one is within a given distance of the launch pad. The risk of a lightning bolt creating a bad day is too high.
The planned trajectory for the launch is northeast, or right-to-left if you are facing the Atlantic Ocean on Florida’s east coast. Depending on the time of day and the weather in their location, people living to the north of the Space Coast may see the rocket as it ascends.
Approximation of the trajectory of this evening’s launch.
Booster B1073
According to SpaceX, tonight’s booster previously launched “This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched previously launched SES-22, ispace’s HAKUTO-R MISSION 1, Amazonas-6, CRS-27, Bandwagon-1, and 10 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.” and will be on its nineteenth mission overall. That’s Booster B1073.
B1073 last flew May 12, 2024, or thirty-one days ago.
Booster B1073
May 12, 2024
Flight
Mission
Date
1
Starlink 4-15
May 14, 2022
2
SES-22
June 29, 2022
3
Starlink 4-26
August 10, 2022
4
Starlink 4-35
September 24, 2022
5
HAKUTO-R
December 11, 2022
6
Amazonus Nexus
February 7, 2023
7
CRS-27
March 15, 2023
8
Starlink 6-2
April 19, 2023
9
Starlink 5-11
June 12, 2023
10
Starlink 6-12
September 4, 2023
11
Starlink 6-27
November 8, 2023
12
Starlink 6-37
January 15, 2024
13
Starlink 6-41
March 4, 2024
14
Bandwagon-1
April 7, 2024
15
Starlink 6-58
May 12, 2024
Booster B1073 as of May 12, 2023
Countdown Timeline
There are key events in the countdown that you may hear called out in launch coverage.
Remember that once Propellant Loading (T-minus thirty-eight minutes) starts, Falcon 9 is committed to the launch attempt. Because of the nature of the cryogenic fuels used to power the rockets, any hold precludes a later launch attempt the same day. While it only rarely happens, there have been occasions where that has happened, and a launch scrub is called for the day’s attempt.
SpaceX provides the following countdown milestones on their mission information page:
Hours:Minutes:Seconds
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
Typical SpaceX countdown timeline is presented for information purposes only.
Timeline of Falcon 9 Flight
SpaceX has published a timeline of expected events during the mission:
Hours:Minutes:Seconds
Event
00:00:00
Liftoff
00:01:10
Max-Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:24
1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:28
1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:35
2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:54
Fairing deployment
00:06:09
1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:33
1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:53
1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:18
1st stage landing
00:08:38
2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:43:50
2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:43:52
2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:52:44
Starlink satellites deploy
via: SpaceX
All events up to the end of the 1st stage entry burn should be visible for launch spectators watching the launch in person, so long as clouds are not blocking the viewer’s line of sight.
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 10-2. 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 Launch 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.
Launch Viewing: In Person
This morning’s planned launch is from SLC-40, on the south side of the Eastern Range (KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station combined.) The southern parks in Titusville on Washington Avenue and FL-528/A1A in Cape Canaveral are the best spots to watch liftoff directly.
Given the early hours of the launch window (7:30AM – 11:30AM EDT) these restaurants may not be open for launch viewing. Later in the day, all three may well be, so if you are interested, be sure to call ahead to make sure they’ll be ready to serve you.
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
Indirect Views
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.
Northern Titusville Parks
Further away, but really nice views.
Playalinda Beach
Playalinda Beach out on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore will be open to spectators until 8 PM EDT, that is if KSC Security and the National Park Service allow viewers for the launch. It opens to visitors at 6 AM.
Call ahead to be sure.
Cape Canaveral National Seashore • Playalinda Beach Phone: (386) 428-3384 x0 Current operating hours: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM
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.
If the launch L-0 time is moved to after 8PM, you must leave Playalinda, as the National Park Service is very strict about closing hours.
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.
Keep up with launch news and other space events that affect the local area by subscribing to alerts when we publish a new article by entering your email at the link at the bottom of this page, or by visiting Space Talk here on the website. It’s free, and you can cancel at any time.
A Falcon 9 lifting off from Space Launch Complex 40 Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
SpaceX is targeting a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida this evening.
The launch window opens at 5:20 PM EDT and extends until 9:00 PM EDT. The backup window for this launch is Thursday, June 13, starting at 4:46 p.m. EDT.
Weather may be an issue, as heavy rains are forecast for the region today.
According to the National Weather Service at 10:30AM EDT today, “Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10pm. Low around 75. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.”
Payload
22 Starlink Mini V2 satellites, to be used in SpaceX’s orbital-based Internet service.
Starlink Mini V2 satellites being deployed in orbit. Photo: SpaceX
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron is forecasting a 95% chance of creating a Range Violation Thursday, meaning a mere 5% chance of acceptable conditions throughout the launch window. On Thursday, conditions improve slightly: 15% “Go”, with an 85%” Probability of Violation.
In their discussion, the 45th Weather Squadron states, “The Spaceport, and the remainder of the peninsula, will see very wet and unsettled weather conditions through the remainder of the week. The forecast question for both the primary launch opportunity Wednesday afternoon and backup on Thursday remains exactly where [a frontal] boundary drifts to, and how quickly a developing area of low pressure sets up off the northeast Florida coast. For Wednesday afternoon, models differ if weather for launch opportunities may be better earlier or later in the window.“
The planned trajectory for the launch is northeast, or right-to-left if you are facing the Atlantic Ocean on Florida’s east coast. Depending on the time of day and the weather in their location, people living to the north of the Space Coast may see the rocket as it ascends.
Approximation of the trajectory of this evening’s launch.
Booster B1073
According to SpaceX, tonight’s booster previously launched “This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched previously launched SES-22, ispace’s HAKUTO-R MISSION 1, Amazonas-6, CRS-27, Bandwagon-1, and 10 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.” and will be on its nineteenth mission overall. That’s Booster B1073.
B1073 last flew May 12, 2024, or thirty-one days ago.
Booster B1073
May 12, 2024
Flight
Mission
Date
1
Starlink 4-15
May 14, 2022
2
SES-22
June 29, 2022
3
Starlink 4-26
August 10, 2022
4
Starlink 4-35
September 24, 2022
5
HAKUTO-R
December 11, 2022
6
Amazonus Nexus
February 7, 2023
7
CRS-27
March 15, 2023
8
Starlink 6-2
April 19, 2023
9
Starlink 5-11
June 12, 2023
10
Starlink 6-12
September 4, 2023
11
Starlink 6-27
November 8, 2023
12
Starlink 6-37
January 15, 2024
13
Starlink 6-41
March 4, 2024
14
Bandwagon-1
April 7, 2024
15
Starlink 6-58
May 12, 2024
Booster B1073 as of May 12, 2023
Countdown Timeline
There are key events in the countdown that you may hear called out in launch coverage.
Remember that once Propellant Loading (T-minus thirty-eight minutes) starts, Falcon 9 is committed to the launch attempt. Because of the nature of the cryogenic fuels used to power the rockets, any hold precludes a later launch attempt the same day. While it only rarely happens, there have been occasions where that has happened, and a launch scrub is called for the day’s attempt.
SpaceX provides the following countdown milestones on their mission information page:
Hours:Minutes:Seconds
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
Typical SpaceX countdown timeline is presented for information purposes only.
Timeline of Falcon 9 Flight
SpaceX has published a timeline of expected events during the mission:
Hours:Minutes:Seconds
Event
00:00:00
Liftoff
00:01:10
Max-Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:24
1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:28
1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:35
2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:54
Fairing deployment
00:06:09
1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:33
1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:53
1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:18
1st stage landing
00:08:38
2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:43:50
2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:43:52
2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:52:44
Starlink satellites deploy
via: SpaceX
All events up to the end of the 1st stage entry burn should be visible for launch spectators watching the launch in person, so long as clouds are not blocking the viewer’s line of sight.
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 10-2. 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 Launch 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.
Launch Viewing: In Person
This morning’s planned launch is from SLC-40, on the south side of the Eastern Range (KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station combined.) The southern parks in Titusville on Washington Avenue and FL-528/A1A in Cape Canaveral are the best spots to watch liftoff directly.
Given the early hours of the launch window (7:30AM – 11:30AM EDT) these restaurants may not be open for launch viewing. Later in the day, all three may well be, so if you are interested, be sure to call ahead to make sure they’ll be ready to serve you.
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
Indirect Views
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.
Northern Titusville Parks
Further away, but really nice views.
Playalinda Beach
Playalinda Beach out on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore will be open to spectators until 8 PM EDT, that is if KSC Security and the National Park Service allow viewers for the launch. It opens to visitors at 6 AM.
Call ahead to be sure.
Cape Canaveral National Seashore • Playalinda Beach Phone: (386) 428-3384 x0 Current operating hours: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM
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.
If the launch L-0 time is moved to after 8PM, you must leave Playalinda, as the National Park Service is very strict about closing hours.
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.
Keep up with launch news and other space events that affect the local area by subscribing to alerts when we publish a new article by entering your email at the link at the bottom of this page, or by visiting Space Talk here on the website. It’s free, and you can cancel at any time.
NASA, Boeing and United Launch Alliance Forego Launch Opportunity on June 2nd As Well
The debut of Boeing’s Starliner with crew aboard will have to endure at least one more delay as teams work to assess the latest issue that prevented a launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station early this afternoon.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will presumable remain at Kennedy Space Center and still in quarantine awaiting the next launch attempt, which could come NET June 5th at 10:52 AM EDT.
Almost Got There
At T-minus three minutes and fifty-six seconds, a hold was called, the launch countdown halted, and the launch attempt was scrubbed for the day.
The reason?
“NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) scrubbed today’s launch opportunity due to the computer ground launch sequencer not loading into the correct operational configuration after proceeding into terminal count.”
NASA
In short, a computer systems failure.
Specifically, the failure was in the system that, “Controls things like retracting umbilical [connections from the pad to Atlas V] and the Pyro pin that release the bolts at the base of the rocket, so that when ignition happens the rocket is free to fly away and do its job,” said United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno in a press briefing held after the scrub.
Tory Bruno at the NASA Press Briefing on June 1st, 2024. Photo: from NASA Livestream
Additionally, Bruno added, “For that system we do require all three systems to be running triple redundancy and to assure that [inside] each of those three big racks those three big computers do a health check and they monitor to see that those cards came up. When they were commanded to come up and be begin doing their job two came up normally the third one came up but it was slow to come up, and that tripped a red line that created an automatic hold.”
With that, the scrub, because the mission profile is one based on an instantaneous launch, means Atlas V must depart at a specific moment to catch up to the International Space Station in the most efficient manner. This is normal for ISS-bound crewed flights, dating back to the days of the Space Shuttle.
Teams Forego June 2nd Launch Window
Later in the evening, NASA issued this update:
“NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) are forgoing a Crew Flight Test launch attempt Sunday, June 2, to give the team additional time to assess a ground support equipment issue at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex-41 in Florida.”
NASA
So, there is no fast turnaround, no launch tomorrow, and Starliner is still on the ground awaiting its first crewed mission.
“Everyday Astronaut” Tim Dodd was in town and broadcasting live from CCSFS on Saturday. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Starliner Is Not To Blame
It would be fashionable to blame Boeing and Starliner for this latest delay, but in reality, it’s their partner, United Launch Alliance, that has not delivered in both launch attempts. On May 8th, a valve issue on Atlas V scrubbed the mission, and today, another ULA hardware problem has kept Starliner on the ground. In both cases, Starliner was ready for flight, but unfortunately, its ride to space was not. Whether ULA is third-time lucky remains to be seen.
There are two more potential launch dates, June 5 and June 6 available for Starliner before Atlas V will need to have maintenance on its battery systems, a process said to take at least ten days. Not too long after that ISS scheduling comes back into play, with Crew 9 scheduled to to head to ISS aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew Dragon in August.
Atlas V and Starliner on May 31, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Starliner capsule May 31, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Totusville
If all goes well, at 12:25 PM EDT this afternoon, Boeing’s long-awaited Crewed Flight Test will lift of atop an Atlas V and on its way to low-Earth orbit. It will be the first time that Atlas V has carried crew, the first time at Starliner has carried crew, and the first crewed launch at Cape Canaveral in decades.
If all goes well.
Keep that in mind, as you hear mission controllers and official give details of the countdown as it proceeds.
Any rocket launch always has a long line of checkpoints, any of which can delay or even scrub the countdown. Until the rocket actually lifts off the pad, you can never be 100% certain that it is going to fly that day because everything has to work properly, or else mission controllers will wisely say, “We’re not going to space today.”
That is how it should be, and that’s how it will be today, especially with the lives of two astronauts at stake.
At the same time, the astronauts, engineers, technicians and staff at ULA, Boeing and NASA have diligently prepared for Starliner CFT, and they have tested, retested, and then tested again. They say the vehicle is ready. The astronauts say they are ready. And Space Station eagerly awaits their arrival, because Starliner was drafted at the last minute to carry a critical piece of hardware to the orbiting outpost.
Godspeed, Starliner.
Launch Time: 12:25 PM EDT.
Liftoff is scheduled for 12:25 PM EDT today, Saturday, June 1st.
The launch window is instantaneous, which means that Atlas V must lift off at its scheduled time, and that it cannot be delayed until later the same afternoon. This is normal for ISS launches because docking with the ISS requires efficiently matching the speed and position of the ISS, which moves at 7.7 km every second. Timing the launch to within a second greatly simplifies chasing down the orbiting outpost.
Starliner will be carried to orbit aboard an Atlas V N22, a crew-rated variant of the Atlas V 422. This version of Atlas V has two solid motor strap-on boosters with two liquid-fueled stages.
Trajectory: Northeast
As Starliner is planned to launch on a northeasterly trajectory, as is customary for ISS-bound launches. Space Coast residents may recall that previous SpaceX cargo resupply and Commercial Crew missions take the same path.
Launch viewers facing the Atlantic Ocean will see the rocket fly right-to-left as it ascends.
Weather: 90% Go, Winds Are A Concern
The 45th Weather Squadron’s official Launch Mission Execution Forecast gives 90% probability of acceptable atmospheric conditions at the launch sites and through Atlas V and Starliner’s ascent corridor.
One concern is wind. Mark Burger, launch weather officer at the 45th Weather Squadron said that, “There is one watch item,” he said, “And that is the local winds. It’s already turning breezy out of there with sort of a stiff onshore flow, and that’s what we’ll be monitoring for tomorrow as well.”
Burger added, “Again, [we’re] not considering any rain or thunderstorms, maybe a few clouds, bu not anything concerning for us. The winds will be a little feisty tomorrow not only in terms of the magnitude of the winds, but also the direction of the winds. [There will be] a pretty good onshore component, nearly perpendicular to the coast. That tightens or restricts us just a little bit in terms of favorability. But again, now, winds, as you know, are a highly variable factor both in time and space. So hopefully we’ll be able to to get off without a hitch.”
via 45th Weather Squadron. Forecast may be updated at any time.
Sky Cover
The National Weather Service is expecting roughly 50% cloud coverage late tomorrow morning. The launch should be well visible to most spectators, but clouds may block others.
Via National Weather Service. Forecast may be updated at any time.
Booster Recovery
None. Atlas V is a fully expendable launch system, so after Main Engine Cutoff of the first stage, it will seperate and fall into the Atlantic Ocean. Atlas V’s second stage, a dual-engine Centaur, will be purposely re-entered after Starliner separation.
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
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 Spaceflight, 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.
Launch Viewing: In Person
This morning’s planned launch is from SLC-40, on the south side of the Eastern Range (KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station combined.) The southern parks in Titusville on Washington Avenue and FL-528/A1A in Cape Canaveral are the best spots to watch liftoff directly.
Given the early hours of the launch window (7:30AM – 11:30AM EDT) these restaurants may not be open for launch viewing. Later in the day, all three may well be, so if you are interested, be sure to call ahead to make sure they’ll be ready to serve you.
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
Indirect Views
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.
Northern Titusville Parks
Further away, but really nice views.
You can also view the launch from the area beaches, which will have good views of the ascending rocket after it clears any ground obstructions.
Be prepared for potential changes or pushbacks in the launch schedule, and keep up by monitoring the live stream links mentioned above.
Keep up with launch news and other space events that affect the local area by subscribing to alerts when we publish a new article by entering your email at the link at the bottom of this page, or by visiting Space Talk here on the website. It’s free, and you can cancel at any time.
Falcon 9 carrying Starlink 6-64 rises over Cocoa Beach at Lori Wilson Park on May 31, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
SpaceX successfully launched another 23 Starlink satellites to orbit this evening from their Space Launch Complex 40 facility to finish out a record-breaking month of May with fourteen launches in total. Liftoff was at the end of the launch window at 10:37 PM EDT.
Around 8.15 minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster used for the mission, tail number B1076, touched down safely on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas. After landing, B1076 has now flown fourteen successful missions. ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be unloaded, transported to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center and prepared for its next flight after inspection and refurbishment.
Launch Replay
Re-stream of the launch
Payload
This evening’s payload was another 23 Starlink satellites that will join SpaceX’s constellation in low-Earth orbit.
Booster B1076.10 Record
Booster B1076 carrying Starlink 6-64 on May 31, 2024
The booster used this evening successfully completed its fourteenth flight.
Booster B1076
Flight Number
Mission
Launch Date
1
CRS-26
November 26, 2022
2
OneWeb 16
January 10, 2023
3
Starlink 6-1
February 27, 2023
4
Intelsat 40e
April 7, 2023
5
Starlink 6-3
May 19, 2023
6
Starlink 6-6
July 24. 2023
7
Starlink 6-14
September 9, 2023
8
Starlink 6-21
October 5, 2023
9
O3b mPOWER 5/6
November 12, 2023
10
Ovzon-3
January 3, 2024
11
Starlink 6-40
February 29, 2024
12
Eutelsat 36D
March 30, 2024
13
Starlink 6-54
April 28, 2024
14
Starlink 6-64
May 31, 2024
Booster B1076 record as of May 31, 2024
Next Launch
Boeing’s Starliner is scheduled to launch on top of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V from Space Launch Complex 41 early tomorrow afternoon.
Date: NET June 1, 2024
Organization: NASA / Boeing / ULA
Mission: CST-100 Starliner Crewed Flight Test
Rocket: Atlas V
Launch Site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Bowing CST-100 Starliner ‘Calypso’ capsule on May 31, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer, Talk of Titusville
“We’ll fly when we’re ready.”
Those words by the manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, Steve Stich, earlier this spring have hovered over the launch campaign of Boeing’s Crewed Flight Test for several weeks now.
They’ve been a guiding principle for the launch and spacecraft teams, and NASA and astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, and now, all parties agree that they’re ready to fly.
With that, the launch of Atlas V carrying Starliner to low-Earth orbit and eventually the International Space Station with Wilmore and Williams aboard is set for 12:26 PM EDT on Saturday June 1st.
The faulty valve in the second stage Centuar II of Atlas V has been replaced, and that problem closed out.
Engineers, scientists, and mission managers have analyzed the helium leak in Starliner discovered after the Centaur valve issue; the rate of loss was calculated and deemed safe for flight, and it will be monitored throughout the mission in case further intervention is required.
The panel for today’s press briefing at Kennedy Space Center, L-R: NASA Host and Moderator Derroll Nail NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free Steve Stich, manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Dana Weigel, manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program NASA astronaut Mike Fincke Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Commercial Crew Program, Boeing Gary Wentz, vice president, Government and Commercial Programs, ULA Mark Burger, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station photo: Charles Boyer, Talk of Titusville
Mark Nappi, Mark Nappi, Boeing’s vice president and program manager for the company’s commercial crew program said earlier today that, “The teams are on station and they’re monitoring the spacecraft as we sit here and talk to you.”
“They reported this morning at 03:30 [AM EDT], powered up the vehicle, and have been a continuous monitoring mode and will continue to work the launch preps and the launch countdown leading up until tomorrow morning at 04:00 AM when the launch team will come in and start supporting the mission. So far, there’s been no issues that we’ve been working with the spacecraft, so all is going well,” Nappi added.
Atlas V and Starliner on the launch pad, May 31, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
Regarding the Helium issue that caused the lengthy May delay, Nappi was unequivocal: “It’s really just a matter of safety. When we looked at this problem, it didn’t come down to making trades; it came down to whether it was safe or not. And it is safe. That’s why we determined that we could go fly with what we have.”
Steve Stich added insight behind the determination. “There’s about 50 pounds of helium on board,” he said. “And this leak, if it was left open to vent, all the time, it would lose about a half a pound a day. So there’s plenty of margin left over.”
Weather Is A Slight Concern
Weather may be a concern for tomorrow. Mark Burger, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station gave a 90% probability of acceptable weather, with a caveat. There is one watch item,” he said, “And that is the local winds. It’s already turning breezy out of there with sort of a stiff onshore flow, and that’s what we’ll be monitoring for tomorrow as well.”
Burger added, “Again, [we’re] not considering any rain or thunderstorms, maybe a few clouds, bu not anything concerning for us. The winds will be a little feisty tomorrow not only in terms of the magnitude of the winds, but also the direction of the winds. [There will be] a pretty good onshore component, nearly perpendicular to the coast. That tightens or restricts us just a little bit in terms of favorability. But again, now, winds, as you know, are a highly variable factor both in time and space. So hopefully we’ll be able to to get off without a hitch.”
The 45th Weather Squadron’s official forecast on May 31, 2024Railway view of the Atlas V with Starliner on May 31, 2024 Photo by Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Keep up with launch news and other space events that affect the local area by subscribing to alerts when we publish a new article by entering your email at the link at the bottom of this page, or by visiting Space Talk here on the website. It’s free, and you can cancel at any time.
Falcon 9 lifting off from Space Launch Complex 40, as seen from the Banana River Bridge
SpaceX plans to add another 23 members to its ever-burgeoning constellation of Starlink satellites on Friday night from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window opens at 6:43 PM EDT and extends to 10:43 PM the same night.
The launch will be SpaceX’s 57th of the year and the company’s 11th launch in May, numbers that far outpace any other organization globally.
The booster used for the mission will land downrange on the droneship Automated Spaceport Drone Ship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean just east of The Bahamas. Since the mission is not a Return To Launch Site mission, there won’t be any sonic boom on the Space Coast.
Payload
23 Starlink satellites, to be used in SpaceX’s orbital-based Internet service.
They are manufactured at SpaceX’s Starlink manufacturing facility in Redmond, Washington, are estimated to weigh 750-800 kg apiece and are about 3.0 meters (9.84 feet) long and 1.3 meters (3.94 feet) wide at liftoff. When a Starlink Mini V2 extends its solar panels, it is an estimated 98.5 feet in diameter.
Weather
According to the 45th Weather Squadron of the US Space Force, the forecast for the launch is highly favorable, with a 90% chance of acceptable weather during the launch window. If, for some reason, the launch doesn’t happen on Friday evening, the planned backup window is effectively the same: a 90% chance of favorable range conditions on Saturday.
In their forecast discussion, the 45th says that, “Onshore flow will strengthen tomorrow, with breezy conditions developing along the coast Friday and Saturday. The strong onshore flow will result in an early westward translation of the seabreeze, with the focus for any shower and storm development likely shifted to the west side of the Florida peninsula Friday and into the weekend.”
In short, a dry pair of days for the Space Coast — good for rocket launches, but perhaps not as good for an area experiencing a mild drought.
These estimates are hit-or-miss and in any case are highly local, but are interesting if you are planning to view the launch in person.
via National Weather Service
Trajectory
Falcon 9 will take a southeasterly direction tonight towards The Bahamas, as is customary for all Group 6 Starlink missions. Spectators looking toward the Atlantic Ocean from shore will see the rocket flying left to right.
Given that the flight is immediately offshore with no return to launch site, there will be no sonic boom from the launch on the Space Coast.
map: Google Maps
Booster: Unknown
SpaceX has not announced which booster it will deploy for this mission at the time of this writing.
Countdown Timeline
There are key events in the countdown that you may hear called out in launch coverage.
Remember that once Propellant Loading (T-minus thirty-eight minutes) starts, Falcon 9 is committed to the launch attempt. Because of the nature of the cryogenic fuels used to power the rockets, any hold precludes a later launch attempt the same day. While it only rarely happens, there have been occasions where that has happened, and a launch scrub is called for the day’s attempt.
SpaceX provides the following countdown milestones on their mission information page:
Hours:Minutes:Seconds
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
Typical SpaceX countdown timeline is presented for information purposes only.
Timeline of Falcon 9 Flight
SpaceX has published a timeline of expected events during the mission:
Hours:Minutes:Seconds
Event
00:00:00
Liftoff
00:01:11
Max-Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:26
1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:30
1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:36
2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:56
Fairing deployment
00:06:09
1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:33
1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:59
1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:22
1st stage landing
00:08:41
2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:54:08
2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:54:10
2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:05:17
Starlink satellites deploy
via: SpaceX. Unofficial. For information purposes only
All events up to the end of the 1st stage entry burn should be visible for launch spectators watching the launch in person, so long as clouds are not blocking the viewer’s line of sight. Fairing separation is generally only visible during daytime launches and then only using advanced optics like high-powered binoculars or a super-telephoto lens (500mm+).
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 6-64 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 Spaceflight, 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.
Launch Viewing: In Person
This morning’s planned launch is from SLC-40, on the south side of the Eastern Range (KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station combined.) The southern parks in Titusville on Washington Avenue and FL-528/A1A in Cape Canaveral are the best spots to watch liftoff directly.
Given the early hours of the launch window (7:30AM – 11:30AM EDT) these restaurants may not be open for launch viewing. Later in the day, all three may well be, so if you are interested, be sure to call ahead to make sure they’ll be ready to serve you.
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
Indirect Views
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.
Northern Titusville Parks
Further away, but really nice views.
Be prepared for potential changes or pushbacks in the launch schedule, and keep up by monitoring the live stream links mentioned above.
Keep up with launch news and other space events that affect the local area by subscribing to alerts when we publish a new article by entering your email at the link at the bottom of this page, or by visiting Space Talk here on the website. It’s free, and you can cancel at any time.
Liftoff as seen from SpaceX’s livestream of Starlink 6-60 Courtesy: SpaceX
After a delay of one day for reasons that SpaceX did not disclose, the company launched Falcon 9 and the Starlink 6-60 mission from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40 this morning. Liftoff was at 10:24 into hazy skies.
Spectators reported that the haze — lingering smoke from the weekend’s nearby scrub fire and also the ambient humidity typical of Florida in late may — was so heavy that it was difficult to see the rocket lifting off from the usual spectator spots. Once above the thick air, Falcon 9 was visible to most observers on the Space Coast all the way to first stage Main Engine Cutoff and staging.
Through the ground-haze, Falcon 9’s vapor cone was visible as the rocket ascended today. Photo: Tom McCool (@Cygnusx112) via X.com. Photo republished with author’s permission.
Around 8.25 minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster used for the mission, tail number B1078, touched down safely on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas. After landing, B1078 has now flown ten successful missions. ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be unloaded, transported to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center and prepared for its next flight after inspection and refurbishment.
Launch Replay
SpaceX coverage of the Starlink 6-60 launch, streamed on May 28, 2024
Payload
Today’s payload was another 23 Starlink satellites, which will join the ever-growing constellation of low-Earth-based devices in SpaceX’s orbital-based Starlink Internet service. They are manufactured at SpaceX’s Starlink manufacturing facility in Redmond, Washington. There are over 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit with roughly 3.0 million subscribers in about 100 countries world-wide.
Booster B1078.10 Record
After today’s flight, Booster B1078 has flown ten missions.
Booster B1078
Flight Number
Payload
Date
1
Crew-6
March 2, 2023
2
O3b mPOWER 3 & 4
April 28, 2023
3
Starlink 6-4
June 4, 2023
4
Starlink 6-8
August 7, 2023
5
Starlink 6-16
September 16, 2023
6
Starlink 6-31
December 3, 2023
7
USSF-124
February 14, 2024
8
Starlink 6-46
March 25, 2024
9
Starlink 6-53
April 23, 2024
10
Starlink 6-60
May 28, 2024
Booster B1078 as of May 28, 2024
Interesting Stats
56th SpaceX launch this year
26th launch from SLC-40 this year
28th launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in 2024
Lather, rinse, repeat: another Starlink Group 6 launch is planned for Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Mission: Starlink 6-64
Date: NET May 30, 2024
Organization: SpaceX
Rocket: Falcon 9
Launch Site: TBD
Launch Window: 07:09 PM EDT – 12:03 AM EDT
Payload: 23 communications satellites
As of May 28, 2024
Keep in mind that launch dates and times can change without notice at any time.
Keep up with launch news and other space events that affect the local area by subscribing to alerts when we publish a new article by entering your email at the link at the bottom of this page, or by visiting Space Talk here on the website. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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