Start summary: Scroll down for live coverage of the Tuesday, June 4, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40.
Night owls rejoiced when SpaceX’s midnight rocket launch was scheduled for just before 3 a.m. EDT Wednesday. However, the departure was pushed back to 4:55am, making it an early morning departure.
The final batch of Starlink satellites, Starlink 8-9, will lift off shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. Those who saw it were in for a surprise – the booster landing was illuminated by sunlight peaking over the eastern horizon.
When is the next rocket launch in Florida?Is there a departure today? Next SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida
Against the still night sky, the Falcon 9 rocket was brighter than a Fourth of July firework as it exploded. After launching the second stage and payload into space, the Falcon 9 booster descended toward a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, landing eight and a half minutes later.
Steam from Falcon 9 was visible for more than an hour.
The FAA confirmed the name of the mission as Starlink 8-9. Being part of Group 8 satellites, this launch traveled northeast.
Booster lands on the drone
Update at 5:03 am: The Space Coast got a good look at the first stage booster landing over the Atlantic Ocean.
Rise!
Update at 4:55 am: SpaceX has just launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Webcast of SpaceX launch begins
Update at 4:50 am: The SpaceX launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, just below the countdown clock.
Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
We are 10 minutes away from tonight’s launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket!
Update 4:45: T-10 minutes! Get out if you plan to catch this launch! If you have clear skies, it will be hard to miss the bright rocket rising into the pre-dawn sky.
Just look south of the Kennedy Space Center from your direction.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 drone ship OFF
Update at 4:36 am: Today’s Falcon 9 will land on A lack of Gravitas drones in the Atlantic Ocean. The only anticipated sound will be the familiar rumble of the rocket.
SpaceX’s launch countdown timeline
Update at 4:30 am: Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the SpaceX countdown timeline. T-minus:
- 38 minutes: SpaceX’s launch director verifies “go” for propellant payload.
- 35 minutes: First stage loading of rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen begins.
- 16 minutes: Liquid oxygen charging begins in the second stage.
- 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch.
- 1 minute: The command flight computer initiates final pre-departure checks; Start pressurizing the fuel tank to flight pressure.
- 45 seconds: SpaceX’s launch director verifies the “go” for launch.
- 3 seconds: The engine controller commands the ignition sequence of the engine to start.
- 0 seconds: Rise.
SpaceX Falcon 9 with fuel
Update at 4:20 am: SpaceX is ready to start refueling the rocket. That means they’re set to take off at 4:55 a.m. EDT, or they’ll have to call off the launch for the day.
SpaceX was chosen by NASA to launch the COSI telescope
Update at 4:10 am: Here’s some space news as we await liftoff.
SpaceX has been selected by NASA to launch the COSI telescope atop a Falcon 9. The space telescope will observe gamma rays and look at the mysteries behind antimatter and stars. It is not expected to launch before August 2027.
Brevard EOC activates before SpaceX rocket launch
Update at 4:00 am: Brevard EOC has been active prior to takeoff this morning.
SpaceX launch weather outlook
Update at 15:48: SpaceX still plans to launch at 4:55 a.m. EDT. The window runs until 5:59 a.m. EDT. If SpaceX can’t launch this morning, the next opportunity will be 12:28 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 7.
SpaceX has not said why the launch time was moved, but radar shows weather over the launch path and the booster landing site.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact him at bedwards@floridatoday.com or at X: @brookeofstars.