SpaceX is now targeting Thursday, May 9 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 8:20 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 10:18 p.m. PT.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
This is the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched USSF-62, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX’s successful first of a two part series as 23 Starlink smallsats soar, and launch part two includes 13 dedicated Direct to Cell
Despite a few delays it was another success for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 with the launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The weather was outstanding with 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 took place.
This is the third flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-8 and a Starlink mission. Following stage separation, the first stage successfully landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX will be busy Wednesday May 8 with two launches same day from two coasts.
The first launch, timewise, is from Florida’s Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 11:00 a.m. with a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from ET, with backup opportunities available until 2:42 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, May 9 starting at 10:16 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
This is the third flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-8 and a Starlink mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Second on the SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, May 8 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 7:48 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 10:30 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, May 9 starting at 7:48 p.m. PT.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
This is the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched USSF-62, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.