SpaceX Launches Starlink 6-23 Mission from Cape Canaveral

2023-10-19 09:39:30

Tuesday's SpaceX Starlink 6-23 mission from Cape Canaveral

The recent launch by SpaceX saw 22 Starlink satellites successfully sent into orbit alongside a drone ship booster landing. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, followed by the landing of the first stage booster on a drone ship.

Update: Successful launch and landing

Update: SpaceX teams launched the Falcon 9 Starlink 6-23 mission at 8:39 p.m. EDT Tuesday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. A booster landing on a drone ship followed.

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Highlights from the event

Updates from Tuesday's event below:

The Falcon 9 has landed

8:47 p.m. EDT: The Falcon 9 first stage has landed aboard SpaceX's Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 16th mission.

SpaceX rocket launch tonight: Fueling underway

8:05 p.m. EDT: Though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement, visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40. Weather remains favorable for liftoff at 8:39 p.m. EDT.

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Here's a look at the remaining milestones in the countdown timeline:

1. T-minus 38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies go for propellant load.
2. T-minus 35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene loading and first stage liquid oxygen loading begin.
3. T-minus 16 minutes: Second stage liquid oxygen loading begins.
4. T-minus 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch.
5. T-minus 1 minute: Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.
6. T-minus 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies "go" for launch.
7. T-minus 3 seconds: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start.
8. T-minus 00:00:00: Falcon 9 liftoff.

7:45 p.m. EDT: While we wait through the countdown tonight for a liftoff now slated for 8:39 p.m. EDT, a quick check of the weather around the spaceport shows clear skies and that all other conditions are "go" for a launch attempt.

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6:30 p.m. EDT: Good evening and welcome to our Space Team live coverage of tonight's SpaceX Starlink 6-23 mission launch attempt from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX is now working toward liftoff at 8:36 p.m. EDT — a delay of about 44 minutes from the previously targeted attempt. Weather conditions are projected to be 95% favorable.

Liftoff of the 230-foot rocket is set for 8:39 p.m. EDT Tuesday. If needed, SpaceX has other backup opportunities until 8:48 p.m. EDT.

According to SpaceX, there are also six opportunities to launch a day later on Wednesday, beginning at 4:55 p.m. EDT, if teams have to scrub or stand down from Tuesday's attempt for any reason.

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A launch weather report released by the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron on Monday pegs conditions at 95% "go" for liftoff on Tuesday.

"Conditions for the primary launch window look very favorable, with low relative humidity values and a weak chance for a Cumulus Cloud Rule violation," forecasters said. "For the backup day, similar conditions are expected."

The National Weather Service in Melbourne calls for sunny conditions for the Space Coast throughout the day on Tuesday. A high near 73 degrees is expected, with light winds up to 10 mph from the northwest. Conditions for the latter half of the launch window through the evening should remain mostly favorable, with clear skies and a low of around 62 degrees.

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• Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 40 will host.
• The payload is the company's next batch of Starlink internet-beaming satellites.
• The 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket will follow a southeasterly trajectory threading between Florida and the Bahamas.
• No local sonic booms with this mission. The 130-foot first-stage booster will target a drone ship landing in the Atlantic Ocean about eight minutes after liftoff.
• This marks the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission.
• If the schedule holds, the Starlink 6-23 mission will mark the Space Coast's 57th launch this year, tying the record set in 2022 and eclipsing 2021's previous record of 31.

Another SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station could happen this weekend, but SpaceX has yet to announce its next targeted launch date. For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.

Contact Jamie Groh at JGroh@floridatoday.com and follow her on Twitter at @AlteredJamie.

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