Initiate a reboot: Scroll down for live coverage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 on Tuesday, June 4.
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Night owls rejoiced as the midnight SpaceX rocket launch was set for 3 a.m. EDT Wednesday. However, the launch was postponed until 4:55 am, making it an early morning launch.
The latest batch of Starlink satellites, Starlink 8-9, will lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 just before 5 a.m. Wednesday. To the surprise of the onlookers – the booster landing was illuminated by sunlight peaking from the eastern horizon. .
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Against the still night sky, the Falcon 9 rocket was brighter than a Fourth of July firework. After unloading the second stage and launching it into space, the Falcon 9 booster dove toward a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, landing eight and a half minutes later.
Steam was visible from Falcon 9 for over an hour.
The FAA confirmed the mission name as Starlink 8-9. Being part of Group 8 satellites, the missile traveled northeast.
The booster drone lands on the ship
Update 5:03 am: The Space Coast had a good look at the first stage booster landing in the Atlantic Ocean.
Liftoff!
Update 4:55 am: SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX launch webcast begins
Update at 4:50 am: SpaceX’s launch webcast, hosted on X (formerly Twitter), is now live below the countdown clock.
Liftoff is scheduled for five minutes from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
We’re 10 minutes away from tonight’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch!
Update 4:45 am: T-10 minutes! If you plan to catch this launch, get out! If you have a clear sky, it will be hard to miss the bright rocket rising in the pre-dawn sky.
Look south of Kennedy Space Center from your direction.
SpaceX Falcon 9 droneship landing
Update 4:36 am: Today’s Falcon 9 landing Lack of gravitas Droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. The only sound expected was the familiar rumble of the rocket.
SpaceX Launch Countdown Timeline
Update at 4:30 am: Here’s a behind-the-scenes breakdown of SpaceX’s countdown timeline. D-minus:
- 38 minutes: The SpaceX launch director checks the “go” for the propellant load.
- 35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.
- 16 minutes: The second phase of liquid oxygen loading begins.
- 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch.
- 1 minute: Command flight computer begins final preview tests; The propellant tank starts to pressurize to flight pressure.
- 45 seconds: The SpaceX launch director checks the “go” for the launch.
- 3 seconds: The engine controller commands the engine to initiate the ignition sequence.
- 0 seconds: Liftoff.
SpaceX Falcon 9 fuel
Update at 4:20 am: SpaceX is about to start fueling the rocket. That means they are set to lift-off at 4:55 am EDT or they will have to abandon the launch for the day.
SpaceX selected by NASA to launch the COSI telescope
Update at 4:10 am: Some space news waiting for liftoff.
SpaceX has been selected by NASA to launch the COSI telescope atop a Falcon 9. The space telescope will observe gamma-rays and peer into the mysteries behind antimatter and stars. It is not expected to launch before August 2027.
Brevard EOC activates prior to SpaceX rocket launch
Update at 4:00 am: Brevard EOC activated this morning ahead of liftoff.
SpaceX Launches Weather Outlook
Updated 3:48 pm: SpaceX is still aiming for 4:55 am EDT. The window runs until 5:59 am EDT. If SpaceX is unable to launch this morning, the next opportunity will be Sunday, July 7 at 12:28 a.m. EDT.
SpaceX did not say why the launch time was moved, but radar showed the launch path and weather at the booster landing site.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her [email protected] or in X: @brookeofstars.
