Live updates from SpaceX's back-to-back rocket launch doubleheader at Cape Canaveral, Florida
10:08 pm ET
Liftoff!
Rick Neale
The countdown has reached zero! SpaceX has just launched the first Falcon 9 rocket, carrying 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from KSC. Meanwhile, the second Falcon 9 mission is set to lift off at 1:21 a.m. Saturday.
10:03 pm ET
Live Webcast Available
Rick Neale
The SpaceX launch webcast is now live, providing real-time updates. Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from KSC.
9:55 pm ET
Celebrating a Record-Breaking Year
Rick Neale
SpaceX Vice President Kiko Dontchev took to Twitter to commemorate the company's remarkable achievement. He tweeted, "World's busiest spaceport! A testament to the hard work of @SLDelta45 and @NASAKennedy, and their partnership with commercial providers." This marks the 94th orbital rocket launch from Florida's Space Coast this year, breaking a record.
9:46 pm ET
Booster Landing on Drone Ship
Rick Neale
Tonight's mission will be the eighth flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster. It has previously launched NROL-69, CRS-32, GPS III-7, USSF-36, and three Starlink missions. After stage separation, the booster is expected to land on the SpaceX drone ship, A Shortfall of Gravitas, in the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes and 19 seconds after liftoff.
9:36 pm ET
Fuel Loading for the First Rocket
Rick Neale
The fueling process for the first Falcon 9 rocket is underway at KSC, as indicated by the rising water vapor. This countdown is crucial, as any delays could postpone the launch to a later date.
9:27 pm ET
Countdown Timeline
Rick Neale
Here's a breakdown of the countdown timeline for the upcoming Falcon 9 launch:
- 38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies the go signal for propellant loading.
- 35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading begin.
- 16 minutes: Second-stage liquid oxygen loading commences.
- 7 minutes: The Falcon 9 starts engine chill before launch.
- 1 minute: The command flight computer performs final prelaunch checks, and propellant tank pressurization begins.
- 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies the go signal for launch.
- 3 seconds: The engine controller initiates the engine ignition sequence.
- 0 seconds: Liftoff!
9:18 pm ET
Preparation for Double Launch
Rick Neale
Brevard County Emergency Management has activated its launch operations support team to assist with SpaceX's twin Falcon 9 launches.
9:08 pm ET
Celebrating a Record-Breaking Year
Rick Neale
Space Florida officials praised SpaceX's recent Starlink launch, which broke the Space Coast's annual orbital launch record on Monday, November 10. This was the 94th liftoff of the year, and Space Florida officials celebrated with a tweet, "Another record-breaking year in Florida!"
8:54 pm ET
Clear Skies for Launch
Rick Neale
The National Weather Service radar loop shows no cloud cover over Cape Canaveral or Central Florida, indicating clear skies for the upcoming launches.
8:39 pm ET
Weather Forecast for Double Launch
Rick Neale
The 45th Weather Squadron predicts favorable conditions for the launches. Surface high pressure will maintain dry, clear, and calm conditions across the spaceport through the weekend. A dry cold front is expected on Friday morning, but no precipitation is anticipated, and winds will remain below thresholds, ensuring very favorable launch conditions.
