The Space Coast is gearing up for an exciting evening of rocket launches as SpaceX prepares to send two rockets into orbit in less than three hours.
At 8:07 p.m. EST, SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon Heavy rocket from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on the USSF-52 national security mission. The rocket will be carrying the Space Force’s X-37B robotic space plane into orbit for its seventh secretive mission. The Falcon Heavy’s twin side boosters are expected to generate sonic booms as they target landings at SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Following this, at 11:01 p.m., SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Unlike the first launch, no local sonic booms are expected during this mission, as the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster will target landing aboard a drone ship out at sea.
Space enthusiasts looking to watch the launches live can expect a captivating experience, as all viewing tickets for the upcoming Falcon Heavy launch at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex have already sold out.
SpaceX officials have confirmed that the fueling for the Falcon Heavy rocket is now underway, and that all systems are looking good for tonight’s launch. The weather forecast is also favorable, with a 90% chance of favorable conditions for the Falcon Heavy launch.
For more updates on the launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
As the countdown to the rocket launches continues, the Space Team at FLORIDA TODAY will be bringing you live coverage of the events. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to witness this exciting display of human achievement and technological innovation.