Update: Scrub! SpaceX was called off this morning’s Falcon 9 launch due to bad weather around the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The next opportunity to fly will open on Wednesday, May 24 at 11:25 PM EDT. Stay tuned for latest news floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Follow live updates Tuesday through Wednesday as SpaceX aims to launch a Falcon 9 rocket and commercial communications satellite from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Although weather conditions are only 30% “go,” crews have a little more than a two-hour window that opens at 11:25 pm EDT to launch Arabsat’s BADR-8 satellite from Launch Complex 40. If it launches during tonight’s window, it will fly. On an eastern route. After liftoff, the rocket’s 162-foot first stage will aim to land aboard a Just Read the Instructions drone in the Atlantic Ocean.
Follow live updates below:
Hold on! SpaceX is scrubbing the Falcon 9
1:19 a.m. EDT: SpaceX has scrapped this morning’s launch attempt due to bad weather around the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The next launch opportunity opens as early as 11:25 PM EDT Wednesday, May 24. Stay tuned for the latest news. floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
T-minus 10 minutes
1:12 a.m. EDT: SpaceX plans to liftoff at 1:22 a.m. EDT. Reminder that there is no local landing today, so no Sonic Boom.
More SpaceX landings:Florida will hear a loud boom as SpaceX presses the performance of the Falcon 9 rocket
SpaceX starts refueling
12:45 a.m. EDT: SpaceX began fueling the Falcon 9 at Launch Complex 40. This locks in a target launch time of 1:22 a.m. EDT; Falcon 9 then flies or sweeps at night.
- T-minus 00:35:00: 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
- 00:16:00: 2nd stage LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch
- 00:01:00: Command flight computer to begin final preflight checks
- 00:01:00: Propellant tank pressure starts to increase to flight pressure
- 00:00:45: SpaceX launch director checks to go to launch
- 00:00:03: The engine controller commands the engine to start the ignition sequence.
- 00:00:00: Falcon 9 liftoff
Now targeting the end of the output window
12:30 a.m. EDT: SpaceX says it is targeting the end of the launch window for a launch this morning, or 1:22 a.m. EDT. Still waiting for the weather to clear.
New release time
12:20 a.m. EDT: SpaceX is now targeting a 1:10 a.m. EDT launch date for the mission, dubbed BADR-8. Weather conditions appear to be improving slightly, but the flying window closes at 1:22 am EDT. Let’s see if SpaceX can thread the needle.
Rocket Launch Schedule:Upcoming Florida launches and landings
New release time and timeline
12:10 a.m. EDT: To give teams more time to wait for the weather to clear, SpaceX is now counting down to a 12:55 a.m. EDT liftoff. If there are schedules, you should ask for updates on fuel soon. Here is the pre-release timeline:
- T-minus 00:38:00: SpaceX checks the launch vehicle’s thruster
- 00:35:00: Loading of RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) begins
- 00:35:00: First stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
- 00:16:00: 2nd stage LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch
- 00:01:00: Command flight computer to begin final preflight checks
- 00:01:00: Propellant tank pressure starts to increase to flight pressure
- 00:00:45: SpaceX launch director checks to go to launch
- 00:00:03: The engine controller commands the engine to start the ignition sequence.
- 00:00:00: Falcon 9 liftoff
Boot time updated
11:40 p.m. EDT: SpaceX is now targeting a 12:45 a.m. EDT launch tonight from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Hopefully the weather clears up in time.
New Falcon 9 launch time
11:05 pm EDT: SpaceX is now targeting Wednesday, May 24 at 12:30 a.m. EDT for the launch. Teams are still waiting for bad weather to clear the cape.
New release time
10:30 p.m. EDT: SpaceX is now on target for this launch from Cape Canaveral before midnight EDT. The weather is still a concern, so extra time will allow the conditions to clear up a bit. wait
It’s launch day!Here’s what you need to know about SpaceX’s next Florida launch
SpaceX plans to liftoff
10 p.m. EDT: SpaceX crews plan to launch the BADR-8 communications satellite from Launch Complex 40 tonight. Today Space Force said conditions will be about 30% “go” when the window opens, but will improve to 50% “go.” At the end (1:32 am EDT). Given the current conditions, it is reasonable to expect a push in tonight’s window.
