SpaceX Targets Sunday Night Launch of Falcon 9 Rocket and Starlink Satellites
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket and deploy 22 Starlink internet satellites tonight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is scheduled for 11:58 p.m. EDT Sunday, July 9, with a limited launch window. If the rocket does not take off on time, the next opportunity will be Monday evening at 8:11 p.m. EDT.
The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage booster, which will be making its 16th flight, will attempt to land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This would make it the fleet leader for SpaceX.
Here is the post-launch timeline:
– T-plus 00:01:12: Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
– 00:02:27: 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
– 00:02:31: 1st and 2nd stages separate
– 00:02:38: 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
– 00:03:05: Fairing deployment
– 00:06:13: 1st stage entry burn begins
– 00:07:32: 1st stage entry burn ends
– 00:08:09: 1st stage landing burn begins
– 00:08:30: 1st stage landing
– 00:08:39: 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
– 00:54:09: 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
– 00:54:11: 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
– 01:02:19: Starlink satellites deploy
The launch is expected to be a spectacular sight for spectators on the Space Coast. The rocket will fly along a southeastern trajectory after liftoff.
This particular Falcon 9 booster has a remarkable record, as it will be flying for the 16th time. If successful, it will land on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship approximately eight minutes and 30 seconds after liftoff.
SpaceX has been dedicated to its Starlink constellation, having flown nearly 100 missions for the network and securing over 1.5 million customers to date.
The launch window for tonight’s mission had to be adjusted due to storms earlier in the evening. However, conditions are more favorable now, and the liftoff is expected to proceed as planned.
SpaceX is no stranger to precise timing, as the launch window is instantaneous, meaning the rocket must take off at exactly 11:58 p.m. EDT or be delayed until Monday evening.
As of now, SpaceX is fueling the Falcon 9 rocket, preparing for liftoff. The company’s launch director and flight computer have completed final checks, verifying all systems “go” for launch.
Tonight’s launch is a significant milestone for SpaceX and the Starlink mission. It brings us another step closer to expanding global internet coverage and connectivity.
Update: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 11:58 p.m. EDT. The next milestone is the landing on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship, followed by satellite deployment in just over an hour.
The launch went according to plan, with the rocket reaching various checkpoints during its ascent. The liftoff was a spectacular sight for local spectators who gathered to witness the event.
Stay tuned for more updates on SpaceX’s Starlink mission as it progresses towards its deployment of the 22 internet satellites.