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Two SpaceX rockets were scheduled to lift off from separate Florida launch pads Friday night, but a last-second technical snag forced the teams to back out of the second mission.
Launched: SpaceX Falcon 9 SES O3b mPOWER 3 and 4
Tonight’s first mission was SES, the Luxembourg-based satellite operator. Just after 6:12 p.m. EDT after liftoff from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the Falcon 9 flew on an easterly trajectory and the first stage booster targeted the drone, which landed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Cleared: SpaceX Falcon Heavy ViaSat-3 Americas
Another SpaceX mission scheduled for tonight from the nearby Kennedy Space Center was cleared just 59 seconds before liftoff. The three-core Falcon Heavy rocket and communications satellite ViaSat could try to launch again as soon as Saturday, April 29 at 7:24 p.m. EDT.
Follow live updates for both missions below (manual refresh required):
8:26 PM EDT: Just 59 seconds before the scheduled 8:26 p.m. EDT liftoff, SpaceX’s launch engineers called a halt to the countdown. No specific reason was immediately given, but it means a scrub for the evening. The next attempt to launch Falcon Heavy will depend on whether the problem that halted the countdown is identified and resolved. In any case, the next opportunity to fly could be at 19:24 EDT on Saturday, April 29.
Stay tuned at floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
– Emre Kelly
8:15 PM EDT: Space Coast’s second start of the night is just around the corner. The teams continue the countdown until the start at 8:26 p.m. EDT. Here’s what’s left in the inventory:
- 00:07:00: Falcon Heavy begins engine cooling
- 00:00:59: The flight computer ordered the final pre-launch checks to begin
- 00:00:45: SpaceX’s launch director inspects the launch
- 00:00:20: Propellant tanks pressurize flight
- 00:00:06: The engine controller commands the engine ignition sequence to start
- 00:00:00: Falcon Heavy liftoff
– Emre Kelly
8:05 PM EDT: Everything is going as planned for tonight’s Falcon Heavy launch. Compared to the last attempt, the conditions are significantly more favorable – especially since yesterday’s strong storms actually caused a lightning strike on 39A (photo below). Still on target as of 8:26 PM EDT.
– Emre Kelly
7:50 PM EDT: SpaceX continues the countdown to tonight’s Falcon Heavy launch in 35 minutes, or at 8:26 p.m. EDT. As a reminder, this flight will not include a booster landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station due to the weight and destination of the ViaSat communications satellite on board. There won’t be enough fuel to return to the Cape and perform landing burns, so SpaceX will choose to land all three stages in the Atlantic Ocean instead.
– Emre Kelly
7:30 p.m. EDT: SpaceX is about to start powering the three-core Falcon Heavy rocket 39A. So far the weather here is much better than yesterday. Space Force forecasters are predicting 70% conditions for liftoff at 8:26 PM EDT, then eastbound. No amp landing this time.
– Emre Kelly
7:10 PM EDT: SpaceX continues the countdown to Falcon Heavy liftoff at 8:26 p.m. EDT. Here’s the timeline:
- 00:53:00: SpaceX’s launch director checks to see if fuel is needed
- 00:50:00: Loading of stage 1 RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) begins
- 00:45:00: Stage 1 LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
- 00:35:00: Stage 2 loading of RP-1 (rocket-grade kerosene) begins
- 00:18:30: Phase 2 LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00: Falcon Heavy begins engine cooling
- 00:00:59: The flight computer ordered the final pre-launch checks to begin
- 00:00:45: SpaceX’s launch director inspects the launch
- 00:00:20: Propellant tanks pressurize flight
- 00:00:06: The engine controller commands the engine ignition sequence to start
- 00:00:00: Falcon Heavy liftoff
– Emre Kelly
6:33 PM EDT: SpaceX is now targeting 8:26 PM EDT for its next launch from the nearby Kennedy Space Center. It’s almost the end of the window, so there’s really no way to fly any further. Falcon Heavy’s refueling process should begin at 7:33 p.m. EDT. Follow along.
– Emre Kelly
6:21 p.m. ET: The 162-foot long Falcon 9 first stage booster has successfully landed on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its second trip into space.
– Jamie Groh
6:12 p.m. ET: A SpaceX Falcon 9 has lifted off from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying the SES O3b mPOWER 3 and 4 satellites.
– Jamie Groh
6:11 p.m. ET: SpaceX is now just one minute away from the Falcon 9 lifting off with the SES O3b mPOWER 3 and 4 satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Space is watching the weather, but the Range and Falcon 9 are “go” for launch.
– Jamie Groh
6:02 p.m. ET: SpaceX is now just 10 minutes away from a Falcon 9 liftoff with the SES O3b mPOWER 3 and 4 satellites from the 40th padan at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
– Jamie Groh
- 00:16:00 Phase 2 LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch
- 00:01:00 Command the flight computer to begin final pre-launch checks
- 00:01:00 Fuel tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
- 00:00:45 SpaceX’s launch director inspects the launch
- 00:00:03 The engine controller commands the engine ignition sequence to start
- 00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff
– Jamie Groh
5:36 p.m. ET: SpaceX’s launch director prepares to begin fueling the Falcon 9 for a targeted liftoff at 6:12 PM ET from Field 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
– Jamie Groh
4:54 p.m. ET: SpaceX has set a new T-zero for 6:12 PM ET for Falcon 9 liftoff from Pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. No reason was given for the additional 30-minute delay.
– Jamie Groh
4:42 p.m. ET: SpaceX says the weather is more favorable for the first of two launches this evening. Below is a current overview of conditions in Florida. Mostly cloudy skies, but the clouds are high and thin, unlike the cumulus and/or anvil clouds associated with thunderstorms that would inhibit liftoff.
4:30 p.m. ET: SpaceX has set a new T-zero of 5:42 PM ET for Falcon 9 liftoff from Pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. No reason was given for the 30-minute delay.
– Jamie Groh
4:20 p.m. ET: SpaceX reports that the chance of favorable weather for liftoff has improved to 70%. SpaceX is still working on liftoff at 5:12 PM ET from Field 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
– Jamie Groh
4:12 p.m. ET: By the time the Falcon 9 lifts off from Pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the countdown clocks continue to tick toward T-Zero at 5:12 p.m. Everything seems to be fine and the weather so far seems to be. to be favorable. Follow along.
– Jamie Groh
3:45 p.m. ET: SpaceX launch teams are counting down to Falcon 9 liftoff this afternoon at 5:12 PM EDT from Pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Today’s mission will deliver two communications satellites to orbit for SES, the Luxembourg-based satellite operator. Stay tuned as we get closer to the start of refueling.
– Jamie Groh
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