It’s opening 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, there are four options to start a backup on Wednesday, September 20th from 11:38 PM to 1:46 AM EDT.
A batch of Starlink Internet satellites is packed into a Falcon 9 rocket’s 230-foot payload fairing.
After traveling from Launch Complex 40 on a southeast trajectory, the first stage booster is set to target the drone ship landing at sea about eight minutes after launch.
Check back for current updates on the Space Team launch coverage that will be posted on this page starting 90 minutes before the window opens. When SpaceX’s X (formerly Twitter) live stream becomes available about five minutes before launch, it will be available at the top of this page.
For the latest schedule updates, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
SpaceX launch tonight: Bad weather for launch
The 45th Space Force Weather Squadron evaluates the probability “go” conditions at 60% for possible launch.
“The most likely weather disturbance to occur during the primary launch opportunity is cumulus clouds associated with showers moving over land,” the squadron’s forecast said.
More:Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming launches and landings in Florida
Forecasters at the National Weather Service station in Melbourne expect a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday night at Space Force Station, with a low around 74, mostly cloudy skies and east-northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
If plans go ahead, this year will be the 50th launch of the Space Coast.
Here’s everything you need to know about today’s SpaceX launch:
- Space Force Station Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 40 will be the host.
- The payload is the company’s next batch of Starlink Internet satellites.
- The 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket will follow a southeast trajectory passing between Florida and the Bahamas.
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- If it launches on time, it will be the Space Coast’s 50th launch this year.
- No local sonic booms with this mission.
- The 130-foot first stage booster will focus on the drone ship landing about eight minutes after launch.
- This will be the 17th mission for this particular Falcon 9 first stage booster.
When is the next SpaceX launch from the Florida Space Coast?
More SpaceX Starlink missions are expected to launch soon from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, but the company has not yet announced when the next mission is targeted to launch. For the latest schedule updates, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY (click here for more of his stories.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
