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Update: SpaceX successfully launched this mission at 7:32 PM EDT on Saturday, September 24, landing aboard the drone ship Just Read the Instructions a few minutes later.
Follow the live broadcast as SpaceX targets at 7:32 p.m. EDT Saturday, September 24, the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket with 52 Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The 230-foot rocket that flies from the 40 platform has an instantaneous window, which means it must be launched on time or delayed to another day.
Tonight’s flight marks Falcon 9’s 62nd place for the internet constellation and the 41st launch for Florida this year. After takeoff, the Falcon 9 booster will aim to land on an unmanned ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Backup opportunity is available on Sunday evening if needed.
Updates from the real-time event below:
Falcon 9 has landed
7:41 p.m. EDT: About nine minutes after takeoff, the first stage of a Falcon 9 booster touched down aboard the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina. The Starlink constellation of satellites should be deployed in about four minutes.
Leaves!
7:32 PM EST: SpaceX launches the Falcon 9 Starlink mission on time at 7:32 p.m. EDT from Panel 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
within 5 minutes
7:26 p.m. EDT: Now within five minutes of trying to launch SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force station with 52 Starlink internet satellites. Takeoff is set at 7:32 PM EDT. The weather seems right to try to take off this evening. There are no hardware issues either.
fueling ongoing
6:56pm EST: SpaceX is now flushing propellants — liquid oxygen and supercooled kerosene — into both stages of the 230-foot rocket ahead of its 7:32 p.m. EDT liftoff attempt from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX Countdown to 7:32 PM from Panel 40
6:30 p.m. EST: SpaceX is counting down the launch of the Falcon 9 Starlink this evening from Panel 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The weather seems favourable. Yesterday’s 45th Weather Squadron forecast an 80% chance of favorable take-off conditions this evening.
For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Jimmy Groh is a Florida Today satellite reporter. You can contact her at JGroh@floridatoday.com. follow her Twitter @AlteredJamie.
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