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Live updates from Starlink Falcon 9 launch at KSC

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Prepare for this afternoon's SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center today.

Welcome to the FLORIDA TODAY Space team's live coverage of the SpaceX Starlink 6-56 mission at 2:42 p.m. EDT from Pad 39A. The original launch target was 11am – but the company announced three delays, pushing the launch to the end of today's time slot.

The Falcon 9 will deploy a series of Starlink internet satellites housed in the fairing on the 230-foot rocket.

Expect a 90% chance of favorable weather, with a slight concern for cumulus clouds caused by sea breezes and a moderate risk for damaging solar activity, according to the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron.

No sonic booms are expected in Central Florida during this mission. After ascending into the sky along a southeastern trajectory, the first stage booster will land at sea aboard a SpaceX drone ship nearly 8½ minutes after liftoff.

When SpaceX's live webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) becomes available approximately five minutes before launch, it will be posted below the countdown clock.

Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? SpaceX, NASA and ULA's upcoming rocket launch plan in Florida

Update 12:30 p.m.: Tonight, SpaceX crews are scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

This mission at 10:48 p.m. EDT will launch 20 Starlink satellites – including 13 with direct-to-cell communications capabilities – into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East.

Update 11:56 a.m.: SpaceX has announced a third delay, pushing today's launch attempt back to the end of the launch window at 2:42 p.m.

If necessary, additional starting options will be available on Thursday from 10:16 a.m

Update 11:45 a.m.: The National Weather Service is forecasting sunny skies this afternoon, a high near 86 and a southeast wind of 10 to 15 mph at the adjacent Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Gusts can reach up to 20 miles per hour.

Today through Friday will be the warmest weather much of East Central Florida has experienced this year – with record temperatures in the forecast, an NWS tweet said.

Update 11:18 a.m.: Another delay: SpaceX is now targeting 2:10 p.m. for today's launch.

Update 11 a.m.: Despite today's delayed launch target, Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch support team ahead of SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 launch.

Update 10:35 a.m.: Today's SpaceX Starlink mission at KSC Pad 39A will launch within view of the nearby Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

There, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V will carry NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station during the first manned mission of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

After a strict Monday, the historic Starliner launch will now take place on May 17th at 6:16 p.m. at the earliest.

Update 10:05 a.m.: We have a 2½ hour launch delay. SpaceX just announced that its new target launch time is 1:34 p.m

The company did not publicly provide a reason for the delay.

Update 9:50 a.m.: Below is a list of SpaceX's upcoming countdown key events. T-minus:

  • 38 minutes: SpaceX launch director confirms “launch” for fuel load.
  • 35 minutes: Loading of the first stage with rocket kerosene and liquid oxygen begins.
  • 16 minutes: Loading with liquid oxygen of the second stage begins.
  • 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch.
  • 1 minute: The command flight computer begins final checks before takeoff; Pressurization of the fuel tank to flight pressure begins.
  • 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director confirms launch is possible.
  • 3 seconds: The engine control commands the start of the engine ignition sequence.
  • 0 seconds: Lift up.

Update 9:29 a.m.: Additional details from the 45th Weather Squadron's SpaceX Starlink 6-56 forecast:

“The axis of the high pressure ridge is now over Central Florida and will remain in place for the next few days,” the forecast said.

“Moisture dispersal is limited to the lowest levels of the atmosphere, so there is little chance of a violation of the Cumulus Cloud Rule when sea breezes begin during the midday hours,” the forecast said.

For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a space reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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