Photo: Charles Boyer, ToT
SpaceX is planning to launch another lot of Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this evening.
According to SpaceX, liftoff is targeted for 6:08 PM EDT, and the launch window is open until 9:48 PM EDT. If for some reason tonight’s planned liftoff does not happen, the backup launch window open Monday, April 29 starting at 5:45 PM EDT.
Payload
23 Starlink satellites, to be used in SpaceX’s orbital-based Internet service.
Graphic: SpaceX
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron is forecasting a 20% chance of creating a Range Violation Sunday, meaning a better than 80% chance of acceptable conditions. On Monday, conditions improve to 90% “Go” in the 45th’s forecast.
Looking at the forecast closely, the 45th says, “Locally, enhanced onshore flow will tap somewhat deeper moisture off the Atlantic, resulting in additional onshore-moving cumulus clouds accompanied by widely scattered showers. The greatest risk of these will be during the late night through early afternoon hours and thus outside our launch windows.”
That sure sounds like a summer coastal front, and given that it’s almost May, summer weather in Florida is starting to make its annual appearance. That means that on many days, launches can and will be affected by daily storms and winds in the vicinity of the launch area.
Sky Cover
The National Weather Center is calling for cloud cover of about 40-50% tonight at the opening of the launch window.
Trajectory
Falcon 9 will take a southeasterly direction tonight, as is customary for Group 6 Starlink missions.
Given that the flight is immediately offshore with no return to launch site, there will be no sonic boom from the launch this evening on the Space Coast.
Booster: B1076
According to Space, tonight’s booster previously launched “CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, O3b mPOWER, Ovzon 3, EUTELSAT 36D, and six Starlink missions” and will be on its thirteenth mission overall. That’s Booster B1076.
B1076 last launched thirty days ago when it lofted the Eutelsat 36D mission on March 30, 2024.
| Booster B1076 | ||
| Flight Number | Mission | Launch Date |
| 1 | CRS-26 | November 26, 2022 |
| 2 | OneWeb 16 | January 10, 2023 |
| 3 | Starlink 6-1 | February 27, 2023 |
| 4 | Intelsat 40e | April 7, 2023 |
| 5 | Starlink 6-3 | May 19, 2023 |
| 6 | Starlink 6-6 | July 24. 2023 |
| 7 | Starlink 6-14 | September 9, 2023 |
| 8 | Starlink 6-21 | October 5, 2023 |
| 9 | O3b mPOWER 5/6 | November 12, 2023 |
| 10 | Ovzon-3 | January 3, 2024 |
| 11 | Starlink 6-40 | February 29, 2024 |
| 12 | Eutelsat 36D | March 30, 2024 |
Landing
Per SpaceX, “Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read The Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.”
After touching down on ”Just Read The Instructions’, the booster will be returned to Port Canveral after a few days, where it will be offloaded and transported to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center, where it will be inspected, refurbished and possibly prepared for another next flight.
Interesting Stats
- This will be the 44th SpaceX launch this year1
- 356th SpaceX launch all time1
- 20th launch from SLC-40 this year
- 302nd Falcon family Booster landing
- If successful, it will be the 257th consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch (excluding Amos-6)2
1: this includes Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Starship Heavy Launches
2: Amos-6 is discounted due to a pad failure, not an in-flight anomoly
Watching Online
SpaceCoastLaunchCalendar.com will have a livestream of the launch if you’re not able to watch the launch in person: Livestream
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 6-54. This will also be available on the X platform.
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
Watching In Person
This evening’s planned launch is from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are: Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, or the southern parks on US-1 / S. Washington Avenue in Titusville. Kennedy Point Park and Rotary Riverfront Park (among others) are your best bets.
Playalinda
Playalinda Beach wil be open during these hours, but be aware that SLC-40 is further away from the beach than is LC-39A, so you won’t get quite the same experience as you would from the closer pad.
That said, it is still a day at the beach, you’ll be plenty close enough to watch the rocket launch and you’ll definitely have a good experience. If you decide to go there, keep in mind the following:
- Get there at least two hours early, or better, earlier than that. Lines are long at the entry gate and they will only allow as many spectator vehicles as there are parking space available.
- If the launch L-0 time is moved to after 8PM, you will have to leave Playalinda, as the National Park Service is very strict about closing hours.
- Cape Canaveral National Seashore has a fee to get in and cash is not accepted. Debit and credit cards are okay, or if you have one of the National Park Service’s passes for the Seashore or the National Parks, that will work as well.
- Cellphone service is spotty at best and often non-existant at Playalinda. Don’t count on your cellphone to keep up with the launch, because you might get signal or you might not.
- You are not allowed to view from the pullouts on Beach Road. They will have stanchions blocking them. You’ll have to park and you’ll have to go to the beach.
- Refreshments are not available. There are no stores at Cape Canaveral National Seashore, and that means you’ll need to bring drinks and food if you want any while you’re there.
- Rangers will keep you back a certain distance from the launch area. If the beach is open, you’ll still not be able to go all the way down to the fence that demarcates the normal security zone. There’s a line that spectators can’t go past somewhat north of the fence. That’s for safety and security.
Also, as part of both Kennedy Space Center and the US Park system, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is under federal jurisdiction and that means if you happen to get a ticket out there, you’ll be heading to federal court. Best thing to do is strictly obey traffic laws. Don’t speed!
Other Viewing Locations
Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach Pier, Jetty Park Pier will have indirect views, meaning that liftoff will not be visible, but after the rocket clears the pad and any ground obstructions, you will be able to see Falcon 9 ascending clearly assuming there are no clouds between you and the rocket.
Be prepared for potential changes or pushbacks in the launch schedule, and keep up by monitoring the live stream links mentioned above.
Author: Charles Boyer
NASA kid from Cocoa Beach, FL, born of Project Apollo parents and family. I’m a writer and photographer sharing the story of spaceflight from the Eastern Range here in Florida.
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