Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX Starlink 6-38 mission. SpaceX is now targeting 8:10 p.m. EST — more than two hours later than originally scheduled — to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Backup opportunities remain available until 9:55 p.m., should more delays arise. The Falcon 9 will deploy a batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites, which are packed inside the fairing atop the 230-foot rocket. No local sonic booms are expected. After soaring skyward along a southeastern trajectory, the rocket’s first-stage booster will target landing aboard a drone ship out at sea 8½ minutes after liftoff.
Update 8:10 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX launch webcast begins
Update 8:09 p.m.: SpaceX’s launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted at the top of this page. Liftoff is scheduled in one minute from Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX Falcon 9 launch approaches
Update 7:58 p.m.: Twelve minutes before SpaceX’s scheduled Falcon 9 launch, the countdown appears to be proceeding as planned. As a reminder, here is a list of key upcoming countdown milestones. T-minus: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: Falcon 9 liftoff. SpaceX rocket booster flying 18th mission
Update 7:48 p.m.: Tonight’s mission marks the 18th flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported. The booster previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8 and 10 Starlink missions, SpaceX reported. Following stage separation, the booster is expected to land atop the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas out on the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 37 seconds after liftoff. SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway
Update 7:39 p.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Kennedy Space Center, and SpaceX has confirmed the launch is proceeding. That means tonight’s Starlink 6-38 mission is now committed to lift off at 8:10 p.m., or else the launch must be postponed. SpaceX to launch again Tuesday
Update 7:14 p.m.: SpaceX remains on track to launch a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft carrying more than 8,200 pounds of supplies, equipment and science investigations Tuesday to the International Space Station. Powered by a Falcon 9, the NG-20 NASA resupply mission’s liftoff time is 12:07 p.m. Tuesday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX delays launch by two hours
Update 6:46 p.m.: Are upper-level winds a factor in tonight’s delayed liftoff, which SpaceX crews have pushed back from 6:15 to 8:10 p.m.? SpaceX has yet to publicly comment. But the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron pegged liftoff winds — with a low to moderate threat of upper-level wind shear — as the mission’s primary meteorological concern. The squadron forecast a 75% chance of “go for launch” weather. As of 5:55 p.m., the National Weather Service reported west wind of 16 mph at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Gusts tonight are forecast to reach 25 mph. Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1Space is important to us and that’s why we’re working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.
