The Space Coast could see up to three launches this week: two Starlink launches from SpaceX, and if mission managers accept the current state of Boeing’s Starliner, at long last, the first crewed launch of the vehicle. Here’s a look at the schedule as it currently stands on Monday, May 20, 2024:

Wednesday, May 22: Starlink 6-62

• Organization: SpaceX
• Rocket: Falcon 9, Block 5
• Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
• Launch Window: 10:33 PM – 02:33 AM EDT
• Payload: 23 Starlink Satellites
• Booster Return To Launch Site: No

There has been a steady stream of Starlink Group 6 launches over the past several months, and this is another one of them. While the mission may be similar to many other recent launches, every rocket launch is slightly different and worth viewing, so despite the apparent lather-rinse-repeat nature of a Starlink launch by SpaceX, it will be worth viewing.

Thursday, May 23: Starlink 6-63

• Organization: SpaceX
• Rocket: Falcon 9, Block 5
• Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
• Launch Window: 06:45 PM – 10:45 PM EDT
• Payload: 23 Starlink Satellites
• Booster Return To Launch Site: No

This launch may be interesting, especially if it launches at the beginning of the window or if it is pushed back into the twilight hours of early evening.

If it launches close to the beginning of the planned launch window in the golden light of late afternoon, it will be a gorgeous sight to see, with the rocket illuminated by the yellowish light of the last part of daytime. Playalinda Beach should be open to viewers during that time. Remember that Playalinda has a hard closing time of 8 PM, so if the launch is delayed past then, you will have to leave and find another spot to watch.

If the T-0 for launch is pushed to around 8:30 PM EDT and if skies are clear enough to see the rocket at MECO/Staging, we could see a repeat of the jellyfish phenomenon that wowed launch spectators late last week.

No launch provider plans liftoff based on spectators, however, so if either of those things happens, it will be because SpaceX mission managers have decided that Falcon 9 is ready for flight. That’s as it should be, as spaceflight is not an entertainment business.

Saturday, May 25: Boeing Starliner Crewed Flight Test

• Organization: United Launch Alliance, Boeing, NASA
• Rocket: ULA Atlas V
• Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 41, Kennedy Space Center
• Launch Window: 3:09 PM EDT. Instantaneous window
• Payload: Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams
• Booster Return To Launch Site: No

This is the most tenuous launch planned for the week. This mission has been delayed several times after the first launch attempt was scrubbed on May 6, 2024 due to a faulty valve on the second stage of Atlas V. The rocket was taken off its launch pad and moved back to ULA’s Vertical Integration Facility at SLC-41 where repairs were effected.

A Helium leak was discovered in the Starliner service module during that repair period, and at the time of this writing, mission managers are evaluating the leak (it is within tolerances) to decide if it is acceptable for flight. Sometime during the week, the results of the analysis will be announced by NASA and Boeing, and the launch schedule for Starliner will become clearer.

If the launch proceeds as scheduled, northern viewpoints in Titusville will be best for spectators if they are not on-site at Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center. Playalinda will be closed to spectators as this is a northeastward launch with crew.

Schedule Shifts Possible

Several factors affect launch dates and times: weather, technical readiness and range availability.

There is an old saying in the spaceflight industry: “Hundreds of thousands of things have to go right for their to be a launch, but only one has to go wrong for there to be a scrub.” That and “It’s better to be on the ground fixing a problem rather than wishing you were on the ground fixing a problem.”

In other words, no one launches unless they are certain they are ready. That means scrubs and schedule shifts are very possible, and anyone planning to watch a launch, either in person or online, should be prepared for launch times and shifts. It’s the nature of the business.

You can keep up with the general launch schedule here at Talk of Titusville, as we pass along schedule changes as soon as we know them. On launch day, the launch company’s website is the official source of information and there are several YouTube and X.com streams available that will give you the latest information.

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