#SpaceCoast

Representative SpaceX Booster Rising.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

SpaceX is planning to launch the first of three Falcon 9 missions over the next five days today. There’s another launch scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, April 18, and a final one set for Monday, April 22nd. All three will be ferrying a tranche of Starlink Group 6 satellites to orbit. Today’s launch is from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron has forecasted a 10% Probability of Violation, meaning there is a 90% chance of acceptable weather during the launch window. Their primary concern is the Thick Clouds rule.

Trajectory

Southeast, as has been customary for Group 6 Starlink payloads.

Landing

Landing is planned to be on the autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) ‘Just Read The Instructions’ (JRTI) which is stationed in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of the Bahamas.

After the landing, JRTI will return to Port Canaveral with the booster. It will then be returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility on Roberts Road inside Kennedy Space Center for inspection, refurbishment and preparation for its next mission.

Booster: B1077

Booster B1077 will be making its 12th flight. Previously, B1077 was used for Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, and five Starlink missions.

SpaceX Booster B1077
FlightMissionDate
1Crew-510/15/2023
2GPS III SV0601/18/2023
3 Inmarsat-6 F202/18/2023
4Starlink Group 5-1003/29/2023
5Dragon CRS-2 SpX-2806/05/2023
6Galaxy 3708/03/2023
7Starlink Group 6-1309/01/2023
8Starlink Group 6-2510/30/2023
9Starlink Group 6-3312/07/2023
10Northrup Grumman NG-2001/30/2024
11Starlink Group 6-4303/10/2024
Booster 1077 flight record as of April 16, 2024

Online Viewing

A live webcast of this mission will begin on SpaceX’s X account feed about five minutes prior to liftoff. 
Watch live on X.

SpaceX’s official web page has links to live coverage as well as up-to-date planned launch times. Starlink 6-51 Mission Page.

Spaceflight Now will begin its live launch feed one hour prior to liftoff.
SFN on Youtube.

Launch Viewing: In Person

Today’s launch is from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are at either the Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville, or the northern parks on US-1 in Titusville.

Video of a Playalinda launch.

If the launch is prior to 8PM EDT, Playalinda Beach out on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore will be open to spectators, that is, if KSC Security and the National Park Service allow viewers for the launch. This varies launch to launch, but as a general rule, they have allowed spectators to watch Starlink launches from the beach. You could be as close as 4.25 miles from the launch pad at liftoff.

Generally speaking, if it is not a national-security mission (for example, a National Reconnaissance Office payload) or a NASA mission, spectators have been allowed at Playalinda. That’s by no means a certainty, however, and it would be very wise to call ahead before making the trip out.

Cape Canaveral National Seashore Phone: 386 428-3384 x0

If you are going to Playalinda, and if it is open, remember:

  • 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 will have to 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-existant at Playalinda. Don’t count on your cellphone to keep up with the launch, because you might get signal or you might not.
  • You are not allowed to view from the pullouts on Beach Road. They will have stanchions blocking them. You’ll have to park and you’ll have to go to the beach.
  • Refreshments are not available. There are no stores at Cape Canaveral National Seashore, and that means 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. If the beach is open, you’ll still not be able to go all the way 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.

Also, as part of both Kennedy Space Center and the US Park system, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is under federal jurisdiction and that means if you happen to get a ticket out there, you’ll be heading to federal court. Best thing to do is strictly obey traffic laws. Don’t speed!

If you’re not planning to go to Playalinda, the best direct views of liftoff are at either at the northern Titusville parks off of US1 / Washington Avenue. the Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville, or the northern parks on US-1 in Titusville.

The ascending rocket will also be visible on Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Pier, Jetty Park Pier after liftoff when Falcon 9 clears any obstructions.

The ascending rocket will also be visible on the beaches after liftoff when Falcon 9 clears any obstructions.

Weather is forecast to be in the 70º’s around launch time.

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Booster B1062’s 20th Ascent Path
Seen from FL 528W in Cape Canaveral. Fishermen were lighting the edges of the river and enjoying the weather as much as the crowd that gathered there to watch the liftoff.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 tonight from Pad SLC-40 at Cape CAnaveral Space Force Station and sent another twenty-three Starlink satellites to orbit. Liftoff occurred at 09:22 PM EDT on a crisp, clear spring evening on the Space Coast.

Booster B1069 nears Main Engine Cutoff April 12, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Crowds were heavier than normal along the usual spectator spots, and no one left disappointed — long after staging and for almost seven minutes the second stage could be seen rising and building orbital speed.

As one man said to someone beside me, “Enjoy this, [it] won’t be long until the air is thick and hot as soup.” He’s right. If anything, Friday’s weather was one of the last of Florida spring weather: cool, but not cold with pinpoint stars and crescent moon lighting the sky. It won’t be long until humidity rises and the nightly costal front storms will be a concern for mission managers and launch spectators alike.

Falcon 9 rising: Starlink 6-49 in flight on April 12, 2024
Photo: Ed Cordero, Florida Media Now

Booster Touches Down Safely Near Bahamas

About eight and a half minutes after liftoff, Booster B1062 touched down safely on SpaceX’s A Shortfall of Gravitas automated droneship located offshore in the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas, completing its 20th mission safely.

After returning to Port Canaveral several days from now, B1062 will be returned to SpaceX’s facilities at Hangar X at Kennedy Space Center, where it will be inspected, refurbished, and presumably prepared for its next flight. If it reaches the launch pad, it will be for the 21st time.

Booster B1062 Record

FlightMissionDate
1GPS III SV04
Sacagawea		11/05/2020
2GPS III SV05
Neil Armstrong		06/17/2021
3Inspiration 409/16/2021
4Starlink 4-501/06/2022
5Axiom-104/08/2022
6Starlink 4-1604/29/2022
7Nilesat-30106/08/2022
8Starlink 4-2507/24/2022
9Starlink 4-2708/19/2022
10Starlink 4-3610/20/2022
11Starlink 5-112/28/2022
12Starlink 5-402/12/2023
13OneWeb 1703/09/2023
14ArabSat 7B05/27/2023
15Starlink 6-707/28/2023
16Starlink 6-2310/18/2023
17Starlink 6-3011/28/2023
18Starlink 6-3801/29/2024
19Starlink 6-4403/15/2024
20Starlink 6-4904/12/2024
Booster 1062 flight record as of April 12, 2024

Payload

Tonight’s mission delivered 23 Starlink satellites to join other Group 6 satellites.

Next Launch

  • Date: NET April 17, 2024
  • Organization: SpaceX
  • Mission: Starlink 6-51
  • Rocket: Falcon 9
  • Launch Site: SLC -40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Launch Time: 05:24 PM – 09:55 PM EDT (Tentative and subject to change)
  • Payload: 23 Starink Satellites

Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed at any time due to weather, technical reasons or range conditions.

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Representative Starlink launch on a Falcon 9
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

I recently said that covering Starlink launches is almost like covering Southwest Airlines’ daily flights from Orlando International Airport to Austin, Texas. It’s not that watching a rocket launch is boring, it never is, it is simply that SpaceX is flying missions to add to its Starlink constellation so regularly that it has become a reliable and routine service that’s much like, well, airline flights departing from the airport.

A Historic Night For Spaceflight

Tonight is such a launch, but this one comes with a big twist: it is the 20th flight of one of the company’s fleet of Falcon 9 boosters, and that is a first not only for SpaceX but also for spaceflight globally.

That this historic occasion is happening with little fanfare is a testament to the technical comptence of SpaceX generally, and the Falcon 9 teams that refurbish and launch them from the Cape specifically.

And while the booster and fairings are regularly reused, it must also be pointed out that their second stages are not, and that means that SpaceX’s factory in Hawthorne, California is creating not only the second stages at a torrid pace, they are also building Merlin Vacuum engines to power them as well. It is a job extremely well done by everyone, and it should be acknowledged as such by the spaceflight community generally.

Payload

23 Starlink satellites, to be used in SpaceX’s orbital-based Internet service.

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron is forecasting all but perfect weather for a launch attempt tonight, with even better conditions tomorrow. Liftoff winds have less than a 5% chance of creating a Range Violation Friday, meaning a better than 95% chance of acceptable conditions. On Saturday, even that slight concern has been removed from the 45th’s forecast.

Trajectory

Falcon 9 will take a southeasterly direction tonight, as is customary for Group 6 Starlink missions.

Given that the flight is immediately offshore with no return to launch site, there will be no sonic boom from the launch this evening on the Space Coast.

Booster To Set Record

Tonight is slated to be the 20th flight of Booster B1062, a first for SpaceX — and for spaceflight anywhere. We cover the record of this historic booster here: SpaceX Booster To Launch For 20th Time Friday Night.

Will B1062 Fly A 21st Time?

That next flight is of interest because last May, “Bill Gerstenmaier, SpaceX’s vice president of build and flight reliability, said in May [2023] that engineers were in the process of certifying Falcon 9 boosters for up to 20 flights for Starlink missions,” according to a report by Stephen Clark at Ars Technica.

Later in 2023, Nate Janzen, manager of launch pad systems and operations for SpaceX at Vandenberg told Santa Barbara, California’s Noozhaek that “Next year, SpaceX will re-evaluate and conduct analysis with an eye toward certifying the first-stage boosters for 25 to 30 flights.” Whether or not that certification has been achieved as of yet will be an interesting bit of news to follow.

Landing

Per SpaceX, “Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.”

After touching down on A Shortfall of Gravitas, the booster will be returned to Port Canveral after a few days, where it will be offloaded and transported to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center, where it will be inspected, refurbished and possibly prepared for another next flight.

Interesting Stats

  • This will be the 39th SpaceX launch this year1
  • 351st SpaceX launch all time1
  • 17th launch from SLC-40 this year
  • 2 days, 19:42:00 turnaround for this pad if it launches at 9:22 PM EDT
  • 298th Falcon family Booster landing
  • 65th landing on A Shortfall Of Gravitas
  • If successful, it will be the 252nd consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch (excluding Amos-6)2

1: this includes Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Starship Heavy Launches
2: Amos-6 is discounted due to a pad failure, not an in-flight anomoly

Watching Online

SpaceCoastLaunchCalendar.com will have a livestream of the launch if you’re not able to watch the launch in person: Livestream

SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 6-49. This will also be available on the X platform.

Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link

Watching In Person

This evening’s planned launch is from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are: Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, or the  southern parks on US-1 / S. Washington Avenue in Titusville. Kennedy Point Park and,Rotary Riverview Park (among others) are your best bets.

Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Pier, Jetty Park Pier will have indirect views, meaning that liftoff will not be visible, but after the rocket clears the pad and any ground obstructions, you will be able to see Falcon 9 ascending clearly assuming there are no clouds between you and the rocket.

Being that the launch is in the evening, if you plan to attend in person, don’t forget mosquito spray. Be prepared for potential pushes in the launch schedule, and keep up by monitoring the live stream links mentioned above.


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Delta IV Heavy / NROL-70 sitting on its launch pad at SLC-37.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

United Launch Alliance is planning to launch the final launch of Delta IV Heavy on Tuesday from SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window extends from 12:53 PM – 6:51 PM EDT. Delta IV was scrubbed at T-min 3:58 by a faulty gaseous nitrogen pump on its first attempt March 28, and since that time, NASA, the supplier of the material and ULA have worked to effect repairs and test the results to ensure another scrun doesn’t happen for that reason.

NROL-70 is a mission is set to carry a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, an agency of the United States Department of Defense.

This will be the 16th Delta IV Heavy launch, the 39th orbital launch attempt from SLC-37 and the 941st from Cape Canaveral.

After this launch, SLC-37 will no longer have a rocket assigned to it, meaning that the pad can be reconfigured for other missions. In February, the Department of the Air Force announced an Environmental Impact Study for potentially using the launch complex for SpaceX Starship operations. SLC-37 is one of three choices – the other two being building a new SLC-50 and also not using CCSFS for Starship operations. In their EIS materials, the DAF say they will make a final decision in 2025 in the matter.

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket is raised vertically at the Space Launch Complex-37 pad in preparation to launch the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron rates today’s launch weather as very good, with only a 10% probability of a weather violation at launch time — meaning there is a 90% chance of acceptable weather.

Mission

NROL-70 is mounted on top of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket ahead of launch for the National Reconnaissance Office. Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance

Not much is known about the specific payload, which is no surprise given that is classified. In other words, the general public does not meet the criteria for need-to-know and therefore only the most basic descriptions are available.

According to ULA, “The NROL-70 mission will strengthen the NRO’s ability to provide a wide-range of timely intelligence information to national decision makers, warfighters, and intelligence analysts to protect the nation’s vital interests and support humanitarian efforts worldwide.”

United Launch Alliance has provided an excellent preview video for this launch:

Rocket

Delta IV Heavy is s the world’s third highest-capacity launch vehicle in operation, behind NASA’s SLS and SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy. Like SLS, Delta IV Heavy is fully expended during each mission, meaning no booster returns and landings.

United Launch Alliance graphic of Delta IV Heavy:
Credit: ULA

It consists of three core rockets, all liquid-fueled, and with one Hydrogen-Oxygen powered Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68A engine on each core. According to AR, the RS-68A “”Produces more than 17 million horsepower” and it is the “World’s largest and highest thrust hydrogen-fueled engine.”

RS-68A
Photo: Aerojet Rocketdyne / L3 Harris

At ignition, Delta IV Heavy has a unique appearance because of hydrogen flow to the engines, which then escapes outward and upward the booster body, where it ignites and gives Delta IV Heavy its unique “setting itself on fire” and charred look.

Delta IV Heavy’s total mass at launch is approximately 733,000 kg (1,616,000 lb) and produce around 952,000 kg (2,099,000 lb) of thrust at liftoff, making it a powerful machine indeed.

The lift capacity of Delta IV Heavy is

  • Low Earth orbit (LEO): 28,790 kg (63,470 lb)
  • Geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO): 14,220 kg (31,350
  • Geosynchronous orbit (GEO): 6,750 kg (14,880 lb)
  • Lunar transfer orbit (LTO): 10,000 kg (22,000 lb)
  • Mars transfer orbit: 8,000 kg (18,000 lb)

It costs approximately $350 Million per mission, making it one of the most expensive rockets in current operation.

Online Viewing

SpaceCoastLaunchCalendar.com will have a livestream of the launch if you’re not able to watch the launch in person: Livestream

Launch Viewing: In Person

The launch is from SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are: Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, or the  southern parks on US-1 / S. Washington Avenue in Titusville. Kennedy Point Park and, Rotary Riverview Park (among others) are your best bets.

Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Pier, Jetty Park Pier will have indirect views, meaning that liftoff will not be visible, but after the rocket clears the pad and any ground obstructions, you will be able to see Falcon 9 ascending clearly assuming there are no clouds between you and the rocket.

graphic: United Launch Alliance

There is a long launch window, so be sure to bring a chair so that you can be comfortable, and suncreen and bug spray are recommended.

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Delta IV Heavy on March 28, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Today was an active day for launch scheduling: United Launch Alliance has announced that they will make their next attempt to launch Delta IV Heavy and NROL-70 on Tuesday April 9th, and later, NASA announced that the Crewed Flight Test of Boeing’s Starliner is now Monday, May 6th.

Delta IV Heavy / NROL-70

Delta IV was scrubbed at T-min 3:58 by a faulty gaseous nitrogen pump on its first attempt March 28, and at the time, ULA engineers and CEO Tory Bruno were optimistic that a second attempt could happen the next day. Unfortunately, the pump failed again, and ULA stated that they would announce a new launch date only when they were certain that they and NASA (who provides the N2 service to the pad) were past the problem.

Today ULA released their new target date:

DELTA IV HEAVY TO LAUNCH NROL-70

“A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket is launching the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This is the 16th and final launch of a Delta IV Heavy rocket. 

Launch Date and Time: April 9 at 12:53 p.m. EDT, pending range approval

GO Delta IV Heavy! GO NROL-70!“

United Launch Alliance, April 2, 2024

The launch will be from SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Starliner Crewed Flight Test (CFT)

The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is lifted at the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on May 4, 2022.
Photo: NASA/Frank Michaux

Later on in the day, rumors of a shift in the Starliner launch date from May 1st came to pass when NASA made this announcement:

NASA, Boeing Update Launch Date for Starliner’s First Astronaut Flight

“Following a review of the International Space Station operations, NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test now is targeting no earlier than Monday, May 6, for Starliner’s first launch with astronauts to the orbital complex. The date adjustment optimizes space station schedule of activities planned toward the end of April, including a cargo spacecraft undocking and a crew spacecraft port relocation required for Starliner docking. NASA and Boeing also are performing prelaunch closeout work and completing final certification for flight.”

NASA, Boeing Update Launch Date for Starliner’s First Astronaut Flight

It should be noted that Starliner’s launch date was not moved due to any technical issue, but instead because of ISS logistics.

NASA Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore will be aboard Starliner when it heads to the International Space Station for a planned one week stay on the orbiting outpost.

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Delta IV Heavy at SLC-37 on March 29, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

There will be no attempt to launch Delta IV Heavy from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station today as the company continues working with NASA and other US government agencies to correct the gaseous nitrogen problem that caused a scrub at T-minus three minutes and fifty-eight seconds last Thursday.

Scheduling Sites Were April Fooled:

According to many space launch scheduling sites, today was the expected day for the last Delta IV Heavy to head to orbit with the NROL-70 payload aboard. Those sites often use reliable secondary sources to make their scheduling predictions, for example, FAA notifications to pilots of planned launch activities. ULA never officially announced a new date for a launch attempt, and apparently, work continues on the issues that caused the original scrub.

While the scheduling sites are nearly always accurate in their lists, this time they panned out some fool’s gold and were incorrect.

Information from FAA.gov on Saturday, March 30, 2024

ULA Update On Sunday, March 30

Saturday, Talk of Titusville asked ULA CEO Tory Bruno for an update, and this was his reply:

ULA CEO Tory Bruno on the X platform.

Bruno also added that “[A]s frustrating as this delay might be, The overall all level of support we get from our USG partners is outstanding. Far better than anything we might experience on a daily basis in an average commercial airport going to and from a launch.” Clearly, everyone involved is working hard to rectify the issues keeping NROL-70 and Delta IV Heavy grounded.

Attempt on April 8?

Meanwhile, it appears that an April 8 launch attempt may be in the cards:

Information from FAA.gov on April 1, 2024

Keep in mind that this is the from the same set of sources that were incorrect over the weekend.

That is the same day and roughly the same time that a total solar eclipse will be making its way across a large swath of the US. The Space Coast will only see a partial eclipse, but it could be an interesting time to see a rocket in flight in the daytime.

Take it for what it is worth — ULA has still not announced a firm date/time for Delta IV Heavy as of the time of this writing. (Monday, April 1st at 8:30 AM EDT.)

Check back here at Talk of Titusville for any updates. We will pass them along as soon as they are available.

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SpaceX / Eutelsat 36 lifts off from LC-39A at KSC. This was the view from Playalinda Beach near Wilson’s Corner in Brevard County
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 rockets to orbit Saturday: first, at 5:52 PM EDT Eutelsat 36D from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center, then at 9:30 PM, Starlink 6-45 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — a three-hour, thirty-minute gap between launches. Not one to rest on their laurels, the company also has slated another Starlink launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California between 11:54 PM and 2:30 AM EDT later on this evening.

EUTEL 36D Mission

The Eutelsat mission opened today’s launches at 5:52 PM EDT on a day that Florida tourist boards dream of: a warm sunny day with light winds that brought crowds to the beaches and riverfront not only to enjoy seeing a launch but also simply enjoy the nearly perfect weather.

Falcon 9 created a “smoke ring” around the time it was reaching MAX-Q this afternoon.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Tourists and locals lined not only the usual spectator spots on US-1 in Titusville, but also with an at-capacity Playalinda Beach on Cape Canaveral National Seashore, where lines to enter were long and parking lots were eventually full. Those that made into Playalinda enjoyed a picture-perfect launch at the start of the launch window, with Falcon 9 climbing into a blue sky.

The payload was a telecommunications satellite, EUTELSAT 36D, which will replace the company’s EUTELSAT 36B at 36° East. According to Eutelsat, “36° East is a key orbital slot for broadcasters. Home to two powerful satellites, EUTELSAT 36B and EUTELSAT 36C, together they support the broadcast business of several major anchor customers.” Eutelsat 36D will eventually replace the 36B satellite, and will “[A]ssure all the main legacy missions of EUTELSAT 36B, with enhancements to coverage areas and performance.”

A boy sits on his father’s shoulders and watches Falcon 9 ascending from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center on March 30. 2024.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

EUTELSAT 36D Booster

SpaceX used Booster B1076 for the mission, which successfully completed its twelfth flight after safely touching down aboard the Automated Spaceport Drone Ship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Previously, B1076 had supported the NASA CRS-26 ISS resupply mission, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, O3b mPOWER, Ovzon 3, and six Starlink missions.

Starlink 6-45 Mission

Later Saturday evening, SpaceX sent another batch of 23 Starlink v2 Mini satellites to orbit, adding to the company’s ever-growing Starlink constellation used to provide global Internet connectivity. The launch was at 9:30 PM EDT, and was visible over much of Florida, with people as far as Crystal River, which is located about 90 minutes north of Tampa near the Gulf of Mexico.

Starlink 6-45 rising towards orbit as seen from the west coast of Florida near Spring Hill. Photo: Mark Stone, Florida Media Now
Starlink 6-45 rising towards orbit as seen from the west coast of Florida near Spring Hill.
Photo: Mark Stone, Florida Media Now

Starlink 6-45 Booster

For that mission, SpaceX used Booster B1067 for the18th time. Previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, mPOWER-a, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2 and now has completed nine Starlink missions. It safely touched down on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ about eight and one-half minutes after launching.

Next Launch

SpaceX will launch another tranche of Starlink satellites on Friday, April 5th from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on the Starlink 6-47 mission.

The launch window for this mission has not been announced by the company, but if it follows the bulk of other Group 6 Starlink missions, launch time will be sometime in the evening. Stay tuned to Talk of Titusville for a mission preview later this week as more information becomes available.

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Liftoff of a Delta IV Heavy earlier this year from Cape Canaveral.
Photo: Mark Stone, Florida Media Now

United Launch Alliance is planning to launch the final launch of Delta IV Heavy on Thursday from SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window extends from 1:40 PM – 6:51 PM EDT. NROL-70 is a mission is set to carry a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, an agency of the United States Department of Defense.

This will be the 16th Delta IV Heavy launch, the 39th orbital launch attempt from SLC-37 and the 941st from Cape Canaveral.

After this launch, SLC-37 will no longer have a rocket assigned to it, meaning that the pad can be reconfigured for other missions. In February, the Department of the Air Force announced an Environmental Impact Study for potentially using the launch complex for SpaceX Starship operations. SLC-37 is one of three choices – the other two being building a new SLC-50 and also not using CCSFS for Starship operations. In their EIS materials, the DAF say they will make a final decision in 2025 in the matter.

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket is raised vertically at the Space Launch Complex-37 pad in preparation to launch the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Weather

Weather is a primary concern for the next day or two, and frankly, Thursday doesn’t look good. The 45th Weather Squadron released their L-1 forecast earlier this morning, and it calls for a 70% Probability of Violation (POV) for tomorrow, 40% on Friday and finally some improvement over the weekend:

Even if tomorrow’s expected showers and thunderstorms clear in time, winds will be a concern, with 25-30 knot (28.8 – 34.5 MPH) breezes at ground level through the launch window on Thursday with 20-25 knot (23.0 – 28.8 MPH) on Friday.

Mission

NROL-70 is mounted on top of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket ahead of launch for the National Reconnaissance Office. Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance

Not much is known about the specific payload, which is no surprise given that is classified. In other words, the general public does not meet the criteria for need-to-know and therefore only the most basic descriptions are available.

According to ULA, “The NROL-70 mission will strengthen the NRO’s ability to provide a wide-range of timely intelligence information to national decision makers, warfighters, and intelligence analysts to protect the nation’s vital interests and support humanitarian efforts worldwide.”

United Launch Alliance has provided an excellent preview video for this launch:

Rocket

Delta IV Heavy is s the world’s third highest-capacity launch vehicle in operation, behind NASA’s SLS and SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy. Like SLS, Delta IV Heavy is fully expended during each mission, meaning no booster returns and landings.

United Launch Alliance graphic of Delta IV Heavy:
Credit: ULA

It consists of three core rockets, all liquid-fueled, and with one Hydrogen-Oxygen powered Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68A engine on each core. According to AR, the RS-68A “”Produces more than 17 million horsepower” and it is the “World’s largest and highest thrust hydrogen-fueled engine.”

RS-68A
Photo: Aerojet Rocketdyne / L3 Harris

At ignition, Delta IV Heavy has a unique appearance because of hydrogen flow to the engines, which then escapes outward and upward the booster body, where it ignites and gives Delta IV Heavy its unique “setting itself on fire” and charred look.

Delta IV Heavy’s total mass at launch is approximately 733,000 kg (1,616,000 lb) and produce around 952,000 kg (2,099,000 lb) of thrust at liftoff, making it a powerful machine indeed.

The lift capacity of Delta IV Heavy is

  • Low Earth orbit (LEO): 28,790 kg (63,470 lb)
  • Geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO): 14,220 kg (31,350
  • Geosynchronous orbit (GEO): 6,750 kg (14,880 lb)
  • Lunar transfer orbit (LTO): 10,000 kg (22,000 lb)
  • Mars transfer orbit: 8,000 kg (18,000 lb)

It costs approximately $350 Million per mission, making it one of the most expensive rockets in current operation.

Online Viewing

SpaceCoastLaunchCalendar.com will have a livestream of the launch if you’re not able to watch the launch in person: Livestream

Launch Viewing: In Person

The launch is from SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are: Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, or the  southern parks on US-1 / S. Washington Avenue in Titusville. Kennedy Point Park and, Rotary Riverview Park (among others) are your best bets.

Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Pier, Jetty Park Pier will have indirect views, meaning that liftoff will not be visible, but after the rocket clears the pad and any ground obstructions, you will be able to see Falcon 9 ascending clearly assuming there are no clouds between you and the rocket.

graphic: United Launch Alliance

There is a long launch window, so be sure to bring a chair so that you can be comfortable, and since the weather is going to be windy, rainy or both, a rain hood or some other protection from the elements is never a bad idea.

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A Falcon 9 lifting off of SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral in early evening.
Photo: Charles Boyer, ToT

Monday is the day most of us get back to work, and SpaceX is no exception: the company plans to launch a Falcon 9 carrying 23 more Starlink v2 Mini satellites to orbit early this evening from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window extends from 5:00 PM – 9:31 PM EDT.

Tonight’s launch will be the 175th Falcon 9 launch from SLC-40, and the 260th overall from the venerable launch pad, which opened for business in 1965.

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron has issued a forecast for today’s launch, and according to them, there is less than a 5% Probability of Violation for weather conditions. That means the chances of acceptable weather are greater than 95%:

Trajectory

Launch trajectory will be southeastward. So far, all Group 6 Starlink missions have taken this path.

Landing

The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on the Automated Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDS) ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of the Bahamas.

After landing, ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’ will return to Port Canaveral, and the booster will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center for inspection, refurbishment and possible reuse for a future launch.

Booster

SpaceX has not yet announced the booster that will be used for this mission. We will add the pertinent data here as it becomes available.

Online Viewing

A live webcast of this mission will begin on SpaceX’s X account feed about five minutes prior to liftoff. 
Watch live on X.

SpaceX’s official web page has links to live coverage as well as up-to-date planned launch times. Starlink 6-44 Mission Page.

Spaceflight Now will begin its live launch feed one hour prior to liftoff.
SFN on Youtube.

Launch Viewing: In Person

This evening’s planned launch is from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are: Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, or the  southern parks on US-1 / S. Washington Avenue in Titusville. Kennedy Point Park and,Rotary Riverview Park (among others) are your best bets.

Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Pier, Jetty Park Pier will have indirect views, meaning that liftoff will not be visible, but after the rocket clears the pad and any ground obstructions, you will be able to see Falcon 9 ascending clearly assuming there are no clouds between you and the rocket.

Being that the launch is early evening, if you plan to attend in person, don’t forget mosquito spray.

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Space X Falcon 9, partial timelapse photo over the Indian River. Space Coast residents may recognize “Scruffy The Tug Boat” — an accidental landmark on the Indian River on FL 528 West. It’s an accidental landmark that’s been aground in the same spot for years.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 booster carrying 23 more Starlink V2 Mini satellites to orbit tonight from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. Launch was at 11:09 PM EDT, and was successful. The launch was late in the launch window after two pushbacks on the planned L-0 time due to shifting weather here on the Space Coast.

A large crowd of spectators lined the parks in Titusville earlier this evening, waiting for the lifitoff of Starlin 6-42. Those crowds thinned as delays moved the L-0 later into the evening, but there was a friendly, party-like atmosphere as people waited.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

There are now more than 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, with each successive tranche that SpaceX expanding the reach and bandwidth of their orbital-based Internet service. According to the company, the service is growing in popularity and has over two million active users.

Landing was aboard SpaceX’s Automated Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDS) “Just Read The Instructions” northeast of the Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean about eight and a half minutes after launching.

“Just Read The Instructions” will return to Port Canaveral in a few days, and afterwards, B1060 will return to SpaceX’s Hanger X facility at Kennedy Space Center for inspection, refurbishment and presumably reuse on its next mission.

Arond 75 minutes before liftoff, storms with embedded lighting were visible in the eastern skies.
Source: Melbourne National Weather Service radar

Booster

SpaceX flew Booster B1060 for the nineteenth time tonight. Previous missions include GPS III-3, Turksat 5A, Transporter-2, Intelsat G-33/G-34, Transporter-6, Intuitive Machines IM-1, and 12 Starlink missions.

B1060 joins B1061 and B1062 as active boosters that have flown 19 missions. One (or all) of those three are likely to fly their twentieth mission at some point in the future.

Booster B-1060
Flight NumberPayloadDate
1GPS III SV03June 30, 2020
2Starlink L11September 3, 2020
3Starlink L14October 24, 2020
4Türksat 5AJanuary 8, 2021
5Starlink L18February 4. 2021
6Starlink L22March 24, 2021
7Starlink L24April 29, 2021
8Transporter-2June 20, 2021
9Starlink 4-3December 2, 2021
10Starlink 4-6January 19, 2022
11Starlink 4-9March 3, 2022
12Starlink 4-14April 21. 2022
13Starlink 4-19June 17, 2022
14Galaxy 34 / 35October 8, 2022
15Transporter-6January 3. 2023
16Starlink 5-15July 16, 2023
17Starlink 6-18September 24, 2024
18IM-1 Odysseus LanderFebruary 15, 2024
19Starlink 6-42March 23, 2024
Booster B1060 record as of March, 24. 2024

Next Launch

Space Coast residents won’t have to wait long for another launch: SpaceX plans to launch Starlink 6-46 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Monday, March 25, 2024.

The launch window extends from 5:00 until 9:31 PM EDT.

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