Starlink 6-71 ascending towards low Earth orbit on January 6, 2024 Photo: Ed Cordero / FMN
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit today from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 3:43 PM ET (2043 UTC) after several pushbacks in the window, presumably due to windy weather from an approaching cold front expected to arrive this evening on the Space Coast.
Elon Musk on X confirms that SpaceX is targeting January 10th for the next launch of Starship. This comes less than two months from flight 6, which occurred on November 19th. The agency was approved for flight 7 by the FAA with a modified launch license back in December.
IFT-6 ignition on 11-19-24. Image by Richard P Gallagher
Boca Chica, Texas – As the dawn of a new year breaks, SpaceX is poised to continue its ambitious journey with the seventh integrated flight test of its Starship and Super Heavy Booster system, scheduled to take flight from its Starbase facility in South Texas on January 10, 2025. This test, designated Integrated Flight Test 7 (IFT-7), brings with it a suite of advancements, new objectives, and cutting-edge technology, setting the stage for what could be a transformative year in rocket innovation and space exploration.
FMN’s Ed Cordero caught the flight of Thuraya-4 near Orlando International Airport Friday night. A landing airplane added to the photo as it approached MCO’s runway. Photo: Ed Cordero, FMN
SpaceX launched the Thuraya-4 satellite for Yahsat / Space 42 this evening from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 8:27 PM EST (0027 UTC) on a cool evening on the Space Coast.
Tonight’s launch was the first from the Eastern Range in 2025 in what is expected to be another record year for launches from the combined facilities of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.
After two previous delays, including an abort-at-ignition and a booster swap, SpaceX launched the ‘From One To Many’ payload for Astranis tonight from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral aboard Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 12:00 AM EST (05:00 UTC) under broken skies on the Space Coast.
SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying Astranis ‘From One To Many’ lifts off on December 29, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Blue Origin completes New Glenn Hotfire test Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket successfully completed an integrated launch vehicle hotfire test at 7:45PM EST today, the final major milestone on the road to the vehicle’s first flight. NG-1 will carry a Blue Ring Pathfinder as its first manifested payload and will launch from Launch Complex 36 in Cape Canaveral, FL. Blue Origin is currently targeting January 6th as a potential launch date.
Despite no rockets heading to space this weekend from the Eastern Range, it was still quite a busy weekend for both SpaceX and Blue Origin at Cape Canaveral.
Falcon 9 / Astranis ‘From One To Many’ standing at the launch pad early Friday evening at Space Launch Complex 40.
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Drones began falling from the sky after attempting to form a Christmas Tree over Orlando’s Lake Eola Park Saturday night. Photo: @MosquitoCoFL Podcast
A festive holiday drone show in the skies over Orlando’s Lake Eola Park took a frightening turn Saturday night. As spectators were watching a beautiful drone formation of red and green lights, several of the drones fell from the sky, injuring a 7-year-old child.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an updated launch license for Starship IFT-7. This update could mean that a launch attempt is on the horizon.
Vast, the aerospace company best known for building one of the first commercial space station segments, announced today that they have secured a deal with SpaceX for two Crew Dragon missions to the International Space Station…
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have had their missions extended yet again, this time until at least March, and possibly April 2025. Originally planned as an eight-day mission, Williams and Wilmore’s straightforward task was to take Boeing’s Starliner on its debut flight with crew, dock at ISS for a brief visit before returning home. That was not meant to be.
