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Update: Launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 with the Intelsat 40e satellite and NASA’s TEMPO instrument at 12:30 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The first-stage booster successfully landed on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean a short time later. Read our full post-launch story here.
Follow live as SpaceX targets 12:30 a.m. EDT Friday, April 7, for the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The mission for Luxembourg-based satellite operator Intelsat will carry the Intelsat 40e satellite on an easterly trajectory from Launch Complex 40. The satellite also hosts a secondary payload, NASA’s Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution instrument (TEMPO).
About eight minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster will target SpaceX’s A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean for a landing attempt. No local sonic booms are expected this time.
Space Force forecasters have predicted a 90% chance of favorable liftoff weather conditions for tonight’s launch attempt.
For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Updates from Friday’s event below:
12:29 a.m. EDT:The 162-foot first-stage Falcon 9 booster successfully landed on the Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its fourth mission.
12:30 a.m. EDT: The SpaceX Falcon 9 has lifted off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida carrying Intelsat 40e satellite and NASA’s TEMPO instrument to orbit.
12:29 p.m. EDT: SpaceX is now just 1 minute away from liftoff of the Falcon 9 with the Intelsat 40e satellite and NASA’s TEMPO instrument from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Weather, Range, and Falcon 9 are “go” for launch.
12:20 a.m. EDT: SpaceX is now just 10 minutes away from liftoff of the Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The weather remains “go” for launch, as does the Range.
12:03 a.m. EDT: Here’s a live look at the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during fueling at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 40 ahead of liftoff targeted for 12:30 a.m. EDT.
11:50 p.m. EDT: Here’s a look at the remaining milestones left to get through before liftoff at 12:30 a.m. EDT:
- 00:35:00 RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins
- 00:35:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
- 00:16:00 2nd stage LOX loading begins
- 00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
- 00:01:00 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
- 00:01:00 Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
- 00:00:45 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
- 00:00:03 Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
- 00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff
11:47 p.m. EDT: The SpaceX launch director is “go” to proceed with fueling and launch of the Falcon 9. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station targeted for 12:30 a.m. EDT.
11:30 p.m. EDT: SpaceX continues to countdown to the launch of the Falcon 9 from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, targeted for 12:30 a.m. EDT. We should have an update from SpaceX in about 20 minutes. Stay tuned.
11:00 p.m. EDT: Weather conditions over Cape Canaveral are looking mostly clear for liftoff and the wind is not a concern for liftoff as of now. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the beginning of fueling.
11:00 p.m. EDT: SpaceX launch teams are counting down to a Falcon 9 liftoff at 12:29 a.m. EDT from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.. Tonight’s mission will carry the Intelsat 40e communications satellite to orbit for Intelsat and features a hosted payload for NASA, Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution instrument (TEMPO).
