It’s launch day!
SpaceX’s Starlink 6-17 mission, which will send 22 more Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, is targeted for launch on Tuesday, September 19 at 10:47 pm EDT.
If needed, four backup launch opportunities will be available between 11:38 PM and 1:46 AM EDT on Wednesday, September 20th.
A batch of Starlink internet satellites is packed into the payload fairing of a 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket.
After a short flight along a southeast trajectory from Launch Complex 40, the first stage booster will be set to target the drone ship, which will land at sea approximately eight minutes after liftoff.
Check this page for updates on live launch coverage from the Space Team starting 90 minutes before the window opens. SpaceX livestreams hosted on X (formerly Twitter) will appear at the top of this page when they become available approximately 5 minutes before launch.
For the latest schedule updates, please visit: floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
The Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron estimates a 60% chance of achieving “go” conditions for a potential launch.
“The most likely weather violation to occur during a major launch opportunity is cumulus clouds associated with showers moving ashore,” the squadron’s forecast said.
more: Rocket Launch Schedule: Upcoming Florida Launches and Landings
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Melbourne said there was a 60 per cent chance of showers or thunderstorms at the Space Force base Tuesday night, with a low of about 74 degrees, mostly cloudy and an east-northeast wind gusting 5 to 10 mph. I predict that it will.
If all goes to schedule, this will be the Space Coast’s 50th launch of the year.
- Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will be held.
- The payload is the next batch of the company’s Starlink internet beam satellites.
- The 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket will follow a southeast trajectory between Florida and the Bahamas.
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- If the launch goes as planned, this year will be Space Coast’s 50th launch.
- There will be no localized sonic booms in this mission.
- The 130-foot-tall first-stage booster will target the drone ship, which will land about eight minutes after liftoff.
- This will be the 17th mission for this particular first stage Falcon 9 booster.
More SpaceX Starlink missions are scheduled to launch soon from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, but the company has not yet announced when the next mission will launch. For the latest schedule updates, please visit: floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Rick Neale is FLORIDA TODAY’s South Brevard Watchdog reporter (click here for more of his coverage.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1