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A quick look at which rockets lift off from various Brevard launch sites.
Gear up for an early afternoon SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch today from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team live coverage of the 2:10 p.m. EDT SpaceX Starlink 6-56 mission from pad 39A. The original launch target was 11 a.m., but the company has announced a pair of delays totaling 3 hours, 10 minutes.
The Falcon 9 will deploy a batch of Starlink internet satellites, which are packed inside the fairing atop the 230-foot rocket. Backup launch opportunities only remain available until 2:42 p.m., should further delays ensue.
Expect 90% odds of favorable weather, per the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron, with a slight concern of sea breeze-fueled cumulus clouds and a moderate risk of detrimental solar activity.
No Central Florida sonic booms are expected with this mission. After ascending skyward along a southeasterly trajectory, the rocket’s first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea nearly 8½ minutes after liftoff.
When SpaceX’s live webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) becomes available about five minutes before liftoff, it will be posted below the countdown clock.
Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida
Update 11:18 a.m.: Another delay: SpaceX is now targeting 2:10 p.m. for today’s launch.
Update 11 a.m.: Despite today’s delayed liftoff target, Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency’s launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
Update 10:35 a.m.: Today’s SpaceX Starlink mission at KSC’s pad 39A will lift off within easy eyeshot of nearby Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
That’s where a United Launch Alliance Atlas V will launch NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station during the inaugural crewed mission of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
After a Monday scrub, that historic Starliner launch will now occur no earlier than 6:16 p.m. May 17.
Update 10:05 a.m.: We’ve got a 2½-hour launch delay. SpaceX just announced the new target liftoff time is 1:34 p.m.
The company has not publicly cited a reason for the delay.
Update 9:50 a.m.: Following is a list of SpaceX’s upcoming countdown key events. T-minus:
- 38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for propellant load.
- 35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.
- 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.
Update 9:29 a.m.: Additional details from the 45th Weather Squadron’s SpaceX Starlink 6-56 forecast:
“The high-pressure ridge axis is now positioned across central Florida and will remain in place for the next few days,” the forecast said.
“Moisture extent is limited to the very lowest levels of the atmosphere, so there will be only a slight chance of Cumulus Cloud Rule violation at sea breeze onset during the midday hours,” the forecast said.
For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
Daisy Hips is a science communicator who brings the wonders of the natural world to readers. Her articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to environmental conservation. Daisy is also an advocate for science education and enjoys stargazing in her spare time.
