Brevard Space Coast launch sites rockets spaceX ULA NASA
A quick look at which rockets lift off from various Brevard launch sites.
It’s launch day — and, today, there’s a rare treat with a planned SpaceX Falcon 9 doubleheader.
First up: a SpaceX Falcon 9 launching the Eutelsat36D satellite at 5:52 p.m. from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A. It’s a telecommunications satellite for Africa and Eurasia. The rocket will fly East to reach its intended orbit.
The Falcon 9 booster will return with a landing out on Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean so no sonic booms are expected. SpaceX has a three-hour and 58-minute launch window if needed.
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Just over three hours later, SpaceX will launch its next batch of 23 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Launch Complex 40. Launch of the Starlink 6-45 is currently scheduled for 9:02 p.m. SpaceX said the window extends until 10 p.m.
The booster will land on A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean so again no sonic booms will follow this launch.
To add to the launch fever, over on the U.S. West Coast, SpaceX intends to launch another batch of 22 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. That launch is targeting 10:30 p.m. ET. If all launches go, that would mean SpaceX sent three Falcon 9 rockets up into space in the span of hours on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, the earliest the Delta IV Heavy could make another attempt after its Thursday scrub looks to be at 1:25 p.m. Monday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Check back for live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team launch coverage updates to be posted on this page, starting 90 minutes before the launch window opens.
When is the first SpaceX Falcon 9 launch Saturday
The first SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch Saturday is tentatively scheduled for 5:52 p.m. from KSC’s Launch Pad 39A. It’s the opening of a three-hour and 58-minute window. There are backup opportunities available on Sunday with the same window.
When is the second SpaceX Falcon 9 launch Saturday
SpaceX will try for a doubleheader by launching a batch of Starlink satellites on another Falcon 9 at 9:02 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Launch Complex 40. That window goes until 10 p.m. There is another backup opportunity on Sunday starting at 7 p.m.
What’s the weather outlook for SpaceX Falcon 9 launches
The weather forecast is ideal with a less than 5 percent chance of conditions that would prevent launch, according to the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron. The main concern: thick cloud layers.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at [email protected]
Dr. Sarah Adams is a scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to all. Her articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
