#VisitTitusvilleFL

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

Spectators in the surf at Playalinda Beach watching a SpaceX Falcon 9 lift off from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT

Opening Day in Major League Baseball was just a couple of days ago, so it’s fitting in a way that the Space Coast will get its own kind of double-header tomorrow: SpaceX is planning to launch Eutelsat 36D from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center between 5:52 PM and 8:00 PM EDT, and then between 9:00 PM and 10:31 PM EDT, another batch of Internet connectivty satellites with the Starlink 6-46 mission from their pad at SLC-40 at Cape Cananveral Space Force Station.

Both missions will be aboard the company’s Falcon 9 rockets, and both will land offshore on Automated Spaceport Drone Ships (ASDS) — ‘Just Read The Instructions’ for Eutelsat, and ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’ for the Starlink Mission. Two other SpaceX boats — ‘Bob’ and ‘Doug’ are also out to sea, and they will be retrieving the fairings for each mission after they are jettisoned by the ascending rockets.

All of those vessels will then return to Port Canaveral after several days, where their cargo will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s facility Hangar X at Kennedy Space Center for inspection, refurbishment and potential reuse.

Boosters

The boosters SpaceX is planning to use for these missions have not been disclosed by the company yet.

Trajectory

Eutelsat will take a nearly due East trajectory from Kennedy Space Center, flying towards an equatorial orbit.

Starlink 6-45 will take the well-trodden path as other Group 6 Starlink missions: southeastward.

Weather

According to the 45th Weather Squadron of the US Space Force, “Weather conditions will be very favorable for Saturday evening’s launch attempt.”

Eutelsat 36

Starlink 6-45

The 45th’s forecast for Starlink 6-45 is all but identical to their Eutelsat POV prognistication:

In-Person Viewing

Eutelsat

The Eutelsat mission may offer an intriguing possibility: it’s planned for late afternoon, NET 5:52 PM EDT, with the window going to 8:00 PM. That means there’s a possibility that 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.

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 Playalinda 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.
  • 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.

Starlink 6-45

The Starlink 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.

Online Viewing

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

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

Time, it is said, waits for no man — and that must be equally true for SpaceX’s cadence of Starlink launches. The company plans to get right back to action tonight by launching the Starlink 6-42 mission from Pad LC39-A at Kennedy Space Center.

The launch was originally scheduled for Friday evening, but fickle Florida weather caused SpaceX to stand down several hours before the planned liftoff. Tonight’s weather is greatly improved from yesterday, but there is still a roughly one-in-four chance of a weather related scub.

SpaceX says that they are “Targeting Saturday, March 23 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 7:39 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 11:29 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, March 24 starting at 7:06 p.m. ET.”

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron issued a forecast yesterday at 3:00 PM EDT, saying that “On Saturday, [a] low pressure will be tracking up the Eastern Seaboard, leaving the Spaceport with northwesterly winds and isolated, wrap-around showers.” As a result, the primary concerns that may cause a Violation of weather conditions are high winds in the launch area and cumulus clouds.

As Talk of Titusville publisher Michael Lynch often says, “It’s Florida.” By that he means that the weather can and does turn on a dime and tonight could go either way, but unlike yesterday, chances look good for a liftoff during the launch window.

Trajectory

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

Booster

SpaceX will be using 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.

Landing is planned to be aboard SpaceX’s Automated Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDS) “Just Read The Instructions” northeast of the Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean.

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 6-42Planned: March 23, 2024
Booster B1060 record

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 6-42 Mission Page.

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

Live Viewing

Tonight’s launch is an evening launch from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.

Here’s a guide for crewed launches, which are also from LC-39A, and it has maps and more information.

Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center has no mention of launch viewing for tonight. Given that the launch window opens after they close, it is unlikely they are offering any opportunities or tickets for this launch.

Direct Views

Playalinda Beach is open until 8 PM. If the launch time is pushed after that, the beach is usually closed by rangers. This is a risky option and it is highly (as in “you better”) recommended to contact the National Park Service for direct information about whether the beach will be open for the launch. Personally, I do not recommend it, because it is a likely disappointing trip.

Telephone: Voice: 386-428-3384 x0

Keep in mind that an entry fee is required to enter Playalinda Beach. Cash is not accepted.

The northern parks in Titusville are a better bet, all of which will be open. Better yet, they are free of charge.

In particular, the Max Brewer Bridge’s pedestrian walkways are a great place to view the launch, and you can park nearby and hike up the bridge. Being a Saturday night, it will likely be crowded. Go early if that is the choice you make.

Other good choices are Space View Park (near the western end of the Max Brewer Bridge), Rotary Riverfront Park and others.

Indirect Views

Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Pier, Jetty Park Pier, the Banana River Bridge and others are decent, but they are also pretty far from the launch pad. As such, it will not be very loud and you will not see liftoff, but will be able to see the rising rocket quite easily.

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Astronauts Alper Gezeravcı, Marcus Wandt, Michael López-Alegría, Walter Villadei examining their ride to space, a Falcon 9, in September 2024
Photo courtesy of Axiom Space

The 45th Weather Squadron has released its official Launch Mission Execution Forecast for tomorrow’s planned crewed launch of Axiom-3 by SpaceX. According to forecasters, there is less than a 5% Probability of Violation of weather conditions, meaning the weather is expected to be almost perfect, especially by Florida standards: they expect a 95% or greater chance of acceptable weather conditions. The launch is planned for 5:11 PM EST. Once in orbit, the astronauts will travel to the International Space Station for an anticipated 14-day stay.

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