SpaceX launch recap: Live updates from Starlink mission Thursday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Rick NealeLaunch recap: Scroll down to review live coverage of the Thursday, June 27, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on the Starlink 10-3 mission.
It's another launch day on the Space Coast — with SpaceX scheduling a morning liftoff less than an hour after sunrise.
Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of today's SpaceX Starlink 10-3 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX is targeting 7:14 a.m. EDT to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40. The Falcon 9 will deploy another batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.
No Central Florida sonic booms are expected. After soaring skyward along a northeasterly trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea nearly 8½ minutes after liftoff.
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SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update 7:22 a.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean, wrapping up its groundbreaking 22nd mission.
"Falcon 9 lands on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, completing the first 22nd launch and landing of a booster!" SpaceX officials said in a tweet.
Liftoff!
Update 7:14 a.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX launch webcast begins
Update 7:09 a.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, right below the countdown clock.
Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Rocket launch coming up in 10 minutes
Update 7:04 a.m.: With 10 minutes remaining in the SpaceX launch countdown, all appears to be proceeding to liftoff.
After a brilliant orange sunrise, thin clouds are stretched across the morning sky here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Press Site, within eyeshot of the launch pad.
SpaceX launch countdown timeline
Update 6:58 a.m.: Following is a rundown of SpaceX’s behind-the-scenes countdown timeline. T-minus:
- 16 minutes: Second-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.
- 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch.
- 1 minute: Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.
- 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for launch.
- 3 seconds: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start.
- 0 seconds: Liftoff.
SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling underway
Update 6:42 a.m.: SpaceX just announced Falcon 9 fueling procedures are underway at Launch Complex 40.
"All systems are looking good and weather is favorable for today’s Falcon 9 launch of 23 @Starlink satellites from Florida," SpaceX officials said in a tweet.
That means the Starlink countdown is now locked in to lift off at 7:14 a.m. without any delays, or else today's launch must be postponed.
SpaceX booster to fly for 22nd time
Update 6:30 a.m.: Today's mission marks the 22nd flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.
The much-traveled booster previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8 and 14 Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, crews expect the booster to land on the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 13 seconds after liftoff.
SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard
Update 6:13 a.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
Space Force: 90% 'go for launch' weather
Update 5:57 a.m.: The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron predicts 90% odds of "go for launch" meteorological conditions, with cumulus clouds posing the top threat.
"Surface high pressure will remain to our east, with the ridge axis lingering south of the FL peninsula through the end of week," the squadron's forecast said.
"Although sea breeze showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon and evening near the Cape, most of the spaceport should remain dry during the primary and back-up launch windows," the forecast said.
This afternoon, the National Weather Service predicts the mercury will reach 94 degrees in Melbourne — with a sweltering heat index of 105.
For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and KSC, visit floridatoday.com/space.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale atRneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1