Update: SpaceX’s latest batch of Starlink Internet satellites lifts off at 11:58 PM EDT Sunday, July 9! The successful launch and landing on the 16th of this booster paves the way for another mission currently scheduled to start on Thursday, July 13. See the latest on our launch schedule here.
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Follow live updates as SpaceX targets 11:58 p.m. EDT Sunday, July 9 for the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket and 22 Starlink Internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Tonight’s launch window is instantaneous, meaning the 230-foot rocket must fly on time at 11:58 p.m. or delay to no earlier than Monday evening. The next available opportunity will open at 8:11 PM EDT on Monday, July 10.
After liftoff and a southeasterly flight, the Falcon 9 first stage booster will target a drone ship landing in the Atlantic Ocean. This will mark his 16th flight date, making him SpaceX’s fleet leader.
Follow live updates below:
Take off!
11:58 PM EDT: Liftoff of the latest Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral! Next is landing on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship, then deployment in just over an hour. Here is the post-launch timeline:
- T-plus 00:01:12: Max Q (peak moment of mechanical stress on the rocket)
- 00:02:27: 1st stage main engine shutdown (MECO)
- 00:02:31: 1st and 2nd stage separated
- 00:02:38: 2nd stage motor starts (SES-1)
- 00:03:05: Opening the fairing
- 00:06:13: 1st stage entrance burn begins
- 00:07:32: 1st stage entrance burn ends
- 00:08:09: 1st stage landing fire begins
- 00:08:30: 1st stage landing
- 00:08:39: 2nd stage engine shutdown (SECO-1)
- 00:54:09: 2nd stage motor starts (SES-2
- 00:54:11: 2nd stage engine shutdown (SECO-2)
- 01:02:19: Deployment of Starlink satellites
T-minus 5 minutes to launch
11:53 PM EDT: At five minutes to the mark, all is proceeding as planned heading into liftoff of the Space Coast’s 34th mission of the year. If you are a local spectator, enjoy the show!
SpaceX powers the Falcon 9 rocket
11:23 PM EDT: SpaceX has begun fueling the Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, setting the stage for a timely liftoff at 11:58 p.m. EDT. Here’s what’s left of the timeline:
- 00:35:00: Loading of RP-1 (Rocket Kerosene) begins.
- 00:35:00: Loading of the 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) begins.
- 00:16:00: Second phase LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00: Falcon 9 begins to cool down the engine before launch
- 00:01:00: Commands the flight computer to begin final pre-launch checks
- 00:01:00: Pressurization of propellant tank to flight pressure begins
- 12:00:45 AM: SpaceX Launch Director verifies “go” for launch
- 00:00:03: Engine controller commands initiation of engine firing sequence
- 00:00:00: Falcon 9 takes off
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Launch trajectory tonight: southeast
10:45 PM EDT: After liftoff from Launch Complex 40 at 11:58 p.m. EDT, the Falcon 9 booster flying on tonight’s Starlink mission will fly a southeastern trajectory. SpaceX has flown nearly 100 missions dedicated to the constellation and has secured more than 1.5 million customers to date.
Record-breaking Falcon 9 booster
10 PM EDT: Tonight’s launch at 11:58 p.m. EDT will mark the 16th flight for this booster, making it the most flights for a Falcon 9 to date. If all goes to plan, he will land on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship 8 minutes and 30 seconds after takeoff.
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SpaceX is still counting down to launch
9 PM EDT: SpaceX teams are still counting down to the launch of this Starlink mission, known as 6-5, from Launch Complex 40. The storms have moved to the Space Coast in the meantime and conditions are more favorable for a timely liftoff at 11:58 p.m. EDT.
SpaceX now targets the end of the window
6:30 PM EDT: SpaceX is now targeting the last opportunity in tonight’s launch window at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is 11:58 p.m. EDT. The company did not release details on why the rocket was unavailable for flight during three previous opportunities: 8:36 p.m., 9:27 p.m., and 10:17 p.m. EDT.
If times are correct, refueling should begin at 11:23 p.m. EDT. Here is the pre-launch timeline:
- T-minus 00:38:00: SpaceX launch director tests “go” for propellant payload
- 00:35:00: Loading of RP-1 (Rocket Kerosene) begins.
- 00:35:00: Loading of the 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) begins.
- 00:16:00: Second phase LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00: Falcon 9 begins to cool down the engine before launch
- 00:01:00: Commands the flight computer to begin final pre-launch checks
- 00:01:00: Pressurization of propellant tank to flight pressure begins
- 12:00:45 AM: SpaceX Launch Director verifies “go” for launch
- 00:00:03: Engine controller commands initiation of engine firing sequence
- 00:00:00: Falcon 9 takes off
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