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Update: SpaceX successfully launched this mission at 7:32 pm EDT on Saturday, September 2. On February 24, and landed on the Just Read the Instructions drone a few minutes later.
Follow SpaceX’s targets live at 7:32 pm EDT on Saturday, September 2. On February 24, for the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket with 52 Starlink Internet satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The 230-foot rocket flying from Pad 40 has an instant window, meaning it must launch on time or be delayed for another day.
Tonight’s Falcon 9 flight marks the 62nd for the Internet constellation and the 41st launch of the year in Florida. After liftoff, the Falcon 9 booster will target a landing on a stationary unmanned ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
A backup opportunity is available on Sunday night should it be needed.
Real-time event updates below:
The Falcon 9 has landed
19:41 EDT: Approximately nine minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9 first stage booster landed on the unmanned ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina. Deployment of the Starlink satellite stack should begin in about four minutes.
take off!
19:32 EDT: SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 Starlink mission on time at 7:32 pm EDT from Pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
within 5 minutes
19:26 EDT: Now five minutes to the next SpaceX Falcon 9 launch attempt from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station with 52 Starlink internet satellites. Liftoff is scheduled for 7:32 pm EDT. The weather looks favorable for a launch attempt tonight. There are also no hardware issues.
fueling on the go
18:56 EDT: SpaceX is now sending propellants — supercooled liquid oxygen and kerosene — to both stages of the 230-foot rocket ahead of a 7:32 p.m. EDT liftoff attempt from Pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX counting down to liftoff at 7:32 p.m. from pad 40
18:30 EDT: SpaceX is counting down the Falcon 9 Starlink liftoff tonight from Pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The weather seems favourable. The 45th Weather Squadron yesterday predicted an 80% chance of favorable takeoff conditions for tonight.
for the last visit floridatoday.com/launch schedule.
Jamie Groh is a space reporter for Florida Today. He can contact her at JGroh@floridatoday.com. follow her on Twitter @AlteredJamie.
