Blue Ghost, New Glenn, and Starship: Charting the Future of Space Travel

Blue Ghost, New Glenn, and Starship: Charting the Future of Space Travel

The countdown clock outside of the KSC's media center displays the next launch. Image by Richard P Gallagher/FMN
The countdown clock outside of the KSC’s media center displays the next launch. Image by Richard P Gallagher/FMN

Cocoa, FL – January 14, 2025 

Looking for something to see or do while in Florida this week? You’re in luck! This week is witnessing a flurry of space exploration activities at Cape Canaveral and KSC, with multiple launches and historic feats by private aerospace giants. The excitement began with SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to complete their Starlink constellation and will culminate in the much-anticipated launches of the Blue Ghost lunar lander, Blue Origin’s first New Glenn Heavy booster launch, and hopefully SpaceX’s Starship IFT-7. 

Connectivity Amid Chaos: Starlink’s Critical Role in California’s LA Fires

Connectivity Amid Chaos: Starlink’s Critical Role in California’s LA Fires

A SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launches from LC-40 at CCSFS in Florida to deliver a batch of Starlink satellites. Image by Richard P Gallagher / FMN
A SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launches from LC-40 at CCSFS in Florida to deliver a batch of Starlink satellites. Image by Richard P Gallagher / FMN

Los Angeles, CA — As the devastating wildfires continue to ravage California, leaving swathes of communities in darkness, disarray and without internet, a technological marvel is helping to restore service: Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service.  

SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-71 Aboard Falcon 9

SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-71 Aboard Falcon 9

Starlink 6-71 ascending towards low Earth orbit on January 6, 2024
Photo: Ed Cordero / FMN
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.

SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-66 From Cape Canaveral

SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-66 From Cape Canaveral

SpaceX sent another batch of Starlink satellites to orbit this morning from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. Liftoff was at 11:07 AM EST into seasonably cool (~65ºF) and crystal blue skies over Florida.

SpaceX Starlink 6-66 rises out of the heat distortion in the air over the Banana River on November 21, 2024.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Starlink 6-69 rising towards low-Earth orbit on November 11, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

SpaceX Completes Doubleheader, Launches Twice In Four Hours

SpaceX launched the Starlink 6-69 mission to low-Earth orbit late this afternoon, and by so doing completed its second launch from the Eastern Range in a mere four hours and six minutes.

First, SpaceX launched Koreasat 6A from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 12:22 PM EST, then they launched Starlink 6-69 from Space Launch Complex 40 at 4:28 PM EST, both on a Falcon 9.

Both launches were successes.

The flame plume of a Falcon 9 Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

SpaceX Planning Starlink 6-67 Late Wednesday Afternoon (Update: Scrubbed)

Late Wednesday afternoon, SpaceX plans to launch Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral to add to its constantly expanding constellation of Starlink satellites.

This time a Group 6 launch, meaning it is a southeastward launch. It will be into very late afternoon skies on the first day of Standard time and sunsets an hour (by the clock) earlier than the day before. The launch window extends from 4:57 PM EST to 8:03 PM and is expected to be under pleasant skies and an onshore breeze.

SpaceX Plans To Launch Starlink 10-13 Early This Evening

SpaceX Plans To Launch Starlink 10-13 Early This Evening

SpaceX plans to launch Falcon 9 later today from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, carrying another group of Starlink satellites. The launch window extends from 5:10 PM EDT to 9:08 PM. If the mission does not launch today due to weather or other reasons, a backup window opens at 5:07 PM EDT October 31st.

SpaceX, Falcon 9, Starlink 10-8, October 26, 2024. Photo made from The Space Bar in Titusville. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

SpaceX Launches Starlink 10-8 From Cape Canaveral

CAPE CANAVERAL SpaceX and Falcon 9 launched another batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral into low Earth orbit late this afternoon. Liftoff was at 5:47 PM EDT under crystal clear skies and a slight breeze.

    Launch spectators enjoyed some food and drinks at The Space Bar before the Starlink 10-8 launch on October 26,
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
    Launch spectators enjoyed some food and drinks at The Space Bar before the Starlink 10-8 launch on October 26,
    Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
    SpaceX launching the Starlink 6-55 mission in May 2024.

    SpaceX Planning To Launch Starlink 6-61 Tuesday Evening

    SpaceX launching the Starlink 6-55 mission in May 2024.
    SpaceX launching the Starlink 6-55 mission in May 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

    CAPE CANAVERAL SpaceX plans to launch Falcon 9 this evening from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, carrying another group of Starlink satellites. The launch window extends from 6:52 PM EDT to 10:14 PM.

    Note: this article has been updated to reflect a day/time change for the launch.