Falcon 9 Archives

SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-59, Treats Space Coast To Rare “Jellyfish”

By Charles Boyer FMN May 18, 2024Aviation and Space News, Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink

Booster B1062 Sets New Record For Reusability: 21 Flights

In perhaps the most vivid launch for spectators so far in 2024, SpaceX launched another twenty-three Starlink Mini V2 satellites to orbit after successfully launching the Starlink 6-59 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this evening.

Liftoff was at 08:32 PM EDT. Around 8.3 minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster used for the mission, tail number B1062, touched down safely on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, stationed downrange in the Atlantic Ocean. After landing, B1062 has now flown to space for a record-setting twenty-one times.

SpaceX Planning To Launch Starlink 6-58 Sunday Evening

By Charles Boyer FMN May 11, 2024Aviation and Space News, Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink, US Space Force

Another day that ends in “y” and that means SpaceX is planning another Starlink launch from The Cape. Sunday evening, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the Starlink 6-58 mission is scheduled to liftoff, with a launch window from 8:11 PM EDT Sunday evening to 12:11 AM EDT on early Monday morning. The first stage will land offshore, meaning there will be no sonic booms in the Space Coast Area.

SpaceX Planning Starlink 6-55 Launch For Tonight

By Charles Boyer FMN May 2, 2024Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink

Another 23 Starlink satellites are set to be sent to orbit aboard a Falcon 9 this evening from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window opens at 09:49 PM EDT and extends until 01:17 AM EDT Friday.

If tonight’s planned liftoff does not happen, according to SpaceX, “If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, May 3, starting at 9:03 p.m. ET.”

SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-49, Booster B1062 Completes 20th Mission

By Charles Boyer FMN April 13, 2024Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink

For a time, Falcon 9’s plume illuminated the whole rocket body as it ascended to space, powered by nine Merlin engines.
Photo: Ed Cordero / Florida Media Now

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 tonight from Pad SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and sent another twenty-three Starlink satellites to orbit. Liftoff occurred at 09:22 PM EDT on a crisp, clear spring evening on the Space Coast.

Note: Originally published by Charles Boyer at Talk of Titusville

SpaceX Planning To Launch Starlink 6-44 This Evening

By Charles Boyer FMN March 14, 2024Falcon 9, KSC, Space News, SpaceX

Update: New Launch Window opens 3/14/24 7:04 PM EDT

SpaceX plans to launch the Starlink 6-44 mission tonight, Thursday, March 14, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

The payload will be another tranche of 23 Starlink satellites that will be ferried low-Earth orbit from pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. According to the company, “liftoff is targeted for 7:04 PM EDT, with backup opportunities available until 11:29 PM EDT.

Starlink 6-43 Opens What Could Be A Very Busy Week For SpaceX

By Charles Boyer FMN March 11, 2024Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink

Starlink 6-43 rising into the Florida sky on March 10, 2024.
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT — Starlink 6-43 rising into the Florida sky on March 10, 2024.
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station earlier this evening, kicking off what could prove to be quite a busy week for the company.

Starlink 6-43 Slated for Sunday

By Charles Boyer FMN March 9, 2024Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink

SpaceX plans to launch the Starlink 6-43 mission Sunday, March 10 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

The payload will be another tranche of 23 Starlink satellites that will be ferried low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. According to the company on Saturday, March 10th, “liftoff is targeted for 7:05 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 11:03 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, March 11 starting at 6:40 p.m. ET.”

Satellite Launched to Connect Indonesia

By Richard Gallagher FMN February 20, 2024Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX

Successful liftoff of a Falcon9 carrying the HTS-113Bt satellite from LC40. Image by Richard P Gallagher

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to deploy the HTS-113BT telecommunications satellite in a geosynchronous orbit this afternoon, marking a big advancement in Indonesia’s telecommunications infrastructure. The mission launched into a beautiful blue Florida sky right on time at 3:11 pm from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Next Launch to Examine Earth’s Climate: PACE Satellite Targets 1:33am Tuesday Liftoff

By Richard Gallagher FMN February 4, 2024Aviation and Space News, Falcon 9, KSC, NASA, SpaceX

In an era where understanding Earth’s climate dynamics is more critical than ever, NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, will be a vital asset to furthering and tracking our knowledge of the Planet. Set to launch from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40, this mission embodies the culmination of years of meticulous planning and collaboration between NASA and SpaceX, aiming to extend our comprehension of the planet’s climate system and its intricate processes. Lift is set for 1:33am Tuesday morning with the first stage booster returning to LZ 1 at CCSFS.

FMN Video of SpaceX NG-20 Launch

By FMN Staff February 1, 2024Falcon 9, NASA, Space News, SpaceX, Video

Here’s a 4K video with surround audio of the launch:

On January 28, 2024, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Pad SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, sending over 8,000 pounds of supplies aboard a Northrup Grumman (NG) Cygnus cargo craft to the International Space Station. This was NG’s 20th resupply mission.

NASA Announces Crew-9 Roster: Who Are They?

By Charles Boyer FMN February 1, 2024Crewed, Falcon 9, ISS, NASA, Space News, SpaceX, US Space Force

Crew 9 Portrait — Official NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 portrait: (L-R) Stephanie Wilson, Aleksandr Gorbunov, Nick Hague, and Zena Cardman.
NASA

NASA today announced the four astronauts that will travel aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station later this year: Zena Cardman will be the Mission Commander, Nick Hague will be the Pilot, along with Stephanie Wilson and Russian Mission Specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov will travel to ISS no earlier than August 2024.

SpaceX Launches Northrup Grumman NG-20 From the Cape

By Charles Boyer FMN January 31, 2024Falcon 9, NASA, Space News, SpaceX, US Space Force

SpaceX Falcon 9 Lifts off from Pad SLC-40 at Canaveral Space Force Station on January 30, 2024.
Photo: Chris Leymarie, Florida Media Now

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Jan. 30, 2024 SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 carrying the Northrup Grumman NG-20 mission toward ISS this afternoon. The launch was at 12:07 PM EST from the company’s launch pad at SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Once it had completed its part of the mission, Booster 1077 completed its tenth flight when it safely touched down at Landing Zone 1, about 5.6 miles to the south of where it launched a little more than eight minutes earlier.