Update: Falcon 9 lifts off at 11:36 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Wednesday, August 16, followed shortly by the drone on the first stage of a booster landing in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full post-launch story here.
Get live updates on SpaceX targets at 11:36 p.m. EST Wednesday, August 16 for the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and 22 Starlink internet satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The last Space Force forecaster reported the weather to be 20% “off” when the window was open but will increase to 65% eventually.
After taking off and flying southeast, Falcon 9 will fly along a southeastern trajectory and land on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
If it goes on schedule, it will be the 42nd Space Coast launch this year. For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Updates from Wednesday’s event below:
Falcon 9 lands:
11:45 PM EST: The Falcon 9’s first stage has landed aboard the Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship, completing its 13th mission.
11:36 PM EST: Falcon 9 lifts off with 22 Starlink satellites. In about eight minutes, the first stage of the 162-foot rocket will aim to land on the Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship. This mission marked the thirteenth flight to date. Here’s the post-launch timeline:
Added T:
00:01:12 Max Q (peak mechanical pressure moment on the rocket) 00:02:26 First Stage Main Engine Shutdown (MECO) 00:02:29 First and second stages are separated 00:02:35 Second Stage Engine Start (SES- 1) 00:03:07 Fair distribution 00:06:09 Burning begins to enter first stage 00:06:32 Burning ends entering first stage 00:07:59 Burning of first stage of decline begins 00:08:27 First stage descent 00: 08:38 Second Stage Engine Shutdown (SECO-1) 00:53:57 Second stage Engine Start (SES-2) 00:54:00 Second Stage Engine Shutdown (SECO-2) 01:05:07 Starlink satellite deployed
– Jimmy Groh
11:36 PM EST: In T-minus 10 minutes, SpaceX continues to hurtle toward liftoff on time at 11:36 p.m. EST. Here are the remaining milestones to beat during the countdown:
T-minus:
00:07:00 min Falcon 9 starts with engine cool down before launch 00:01:00 min Computer trip to start final check before start up 00:01:00 min fuel tank pressure starts to flight pressure 00:00:45 seconds Launch manager SpaceX checks startup 00:00:03 seconds Engine control orders engine ignition sequence to start 00:00:00 Falcon 9 lifts off
– Jimmy Groh
11:05 PM EST: SpaceX has started loading kerosene and liquid oxygen into the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 40. The team is still counting down to 11:36 p.m. EST.
– Jimmy Groh
10:49 PM EST: SpaceX is working on liftoff at 11:36 pm EST. Weather reporting is now 90% “running”. Watch for refueling to start in just a few minutes.
– Jimmy Groh
10:26 PM EST: Just over an hour into the countdown to take off. The SpaceX team has yet to point out any problems. Liftoff is still set for 11:36 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Here are the remaining milestones to beat in the remainder of the countdown:
T-minus:
Min 00:38:00 SpaceX launch director checks propellant load 00:35:00 min loading of RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) begins 00:35:00 min First stage of loading of LOX (liquid oxygen) begins 00:16:00 min Second stage of LOX loading begins 00:07:00 min Falcon 9 begins with engine cool down before launch 00:01:00 min Computer trip to start final check before start up 00:01:00 min fuel tank pressure starts to flight pressure 00:00 :45 seconds SpaceX launch manager checks startup 00:00:03 seconds Engine control orders engine ignition sequence to start 00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff
– Jimmy Groh
10:06 PM EST: The SpaceX team at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station continues to work toward Falcon 9’s liftoff at 11:36 p.m. EDT. No indication has been given of any issues being worked out and so far weather conditions are still “travelling” around the launch site. Stay tuned as we get closer to the start of the fuel loading which is due in just under an hour.
– Jimmy Groh
9:36 PM EST: Now two hours until SpaceX’s Starlink 6-10 mission lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the mission is still on target at 11:36 p.m. EDT. There has been no indication that SpaceX is working on any issues.
The weather conditions around the Cape are currently likely to improve. Stay tuned.
– Jimmy Groh
9:00 PM EST: A look at the weather conditions around Cape Canaveral Space Force Station now shows “going” for liftoff which, currently, is still scheduled for 11:36 p.m. EDT. There has been no word from SpaceX on any issues that are being worked on. If necessary, there is another opportunity at the end of the window tonight at 12:00 PM EST. Stay tuned.
– Jimmy Groh
Missile launch schedule:Upcoming launch and landing in Florida
New launch time:
8:15 PM EST: SpaceX is pushing for a launch window available tonight that will stay open until midnight. Liftoff now targets 11:36 PM EST. Weather conditions around the cape were still not conducive for takeoff, but the team still had time to wait. Stay tuned.
– Jimmy Groh
7:55 PM EST: Now two hours into SpaceX’s Starlink mission 6-10 liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, it was still on target at 9:55 p.m. EDT. There has been no indication that SpaceX is working on any issues.
Weather conditions around the Cape currently appear to be ‘unresolved’ for the current takeoff but there is still plenty of time to clear up. If necessary, there will be additional shooting opportunities tonight at 11:36 PM EST and midnight. Stay tuned.
– Jimmy Groh
Artemis II’s mission to the moon:NASA is preparing for liftoff, but the future of the program is still uncertain
7:05 PM EST: Good night! The SpaceX team at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is counting down the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket with 22 Starlink satellites at 9:55 p.m. EDT.
The weather was recently reported to be down 20% when the four-hour launch window opened tonight, but improved to 65% by close.
Look for more frequent updates as we approach the start of refueling, which should start 38 minutes before takeoff.
– Jimmy Groh
2023-08-17 05:44:17
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