Follow along live as SpaceX targets a 4:32 PM EST Saturday, December 17 launch of 54 Starlink Internet satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
After liftoff from Pad 39A, the rocket’s 162-foot first stage will target the Just Read the Instructions unmanned craft to land in the Atlantic Ocean. If successful, it will mark a record 15 flights, the most flights ever with a Falcon 9 booster.
Follow the updates below (follow this link for real-time updates):
Raise!
4:32 pm EST. Falcon 9 takes off on record 15th flight with 54 Starlink Internet satellites.
SpaceX launch statistics
4:15 PM EST. While we wait, some stats on today’s mission.
- 15th flight for this particular booster, a record
- 56th launch of the year for the Space Coast
- The 192nd Falcon 9 launch
- 68th launch for the Starlink constellation
- Including California, the Falcon 9’s third flight in two days
Falcon 9 refueling is now underway
4:05 PM EST. SpaceX refuels a Falcon 9 rocket on pad 39A during the 27 minutes before liftoff. Everything remains “go”.
Exact rise time
3:55 PM EST. Note that today’s launch is scheduled for 30 seconds after 4:32 PM EST, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see the Falcon 9 right away. Also, unlike the last missions, we won’t be getting a local landing this time, so there will be no sonic booms.
T-minus an hour to start
SpaceX is set to launch in the afternoon
3 p.m. EST. Good evening from the Kennedy Space Center, where SpaceX is preparing to launch a Falcon 9 rocket with 54 Starlink satellites in 90 minutes. Conditions were forecast to be 60% “go” yesterday, but so far the weather is favorable for a 4:32 EST departure. Stay with us.
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