Updates: Watch SpaceX launch and land a Falcon 9 mission from Cape Canaveral
Update: Liftoff of the Falcon 9 occurred at 11:50 p.m., Monday, Jan. 9, from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with a successful landing a short time later at Landing Zone 1. Read our full post-launch story here.
Weather conditions should be excellent for SpaceX's late Monday night launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, a mission that will include sonic booms generated by a local booster landing.
It will mark SpaceX's second mission for OneWeb, a competitor in the satellite internet industry. OneWeb was flying on Russian hardware before the war in Ukraine, after which it switched to SpaceX for launch services.
Liftoff from Pad 40 is expected at 11:50 p.m. ET. Weather during the window is predicted to be more than 90% favorable for an on-time launch attempt.
Those watching will see the rocket's 162-foot first stage touch down about eight minutes after liftoff. As usual, a sonic boom will be generated just before landing. Though startling, it is largely harmless.
Deployment of the 40 OneWeb satellites is expected to begin about an hour after liftoff.
For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Update from Monday's event below:
The Falcon 9 has landed
11:58 p.m. The first-stage Falcon 9 booster has successfully landed back at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at Landing Zone 1.
Liftoff!
11:50 p.m.: Liftoff of the OneWeb Launch 16 Falcon 9 from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. A landing attempt at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is coming up in about eight minutes. Stay tuned.
10 minutes until liftoff
11:40 p.m.: SpaceX continues to countdown to an on-time liftoff attempt at 11:50 p.m. ET. The Falcon 9 will fly a southeasterly trajectory hugging the coast of Florida, skirting between the state and the Bahamas. Shortly after, the first stage will attempt a landing back at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Fueling underway
11:20 p.m.: Fueling of the SpaceX Falcon 9 ahead of an on-time liftoff attempt is now underway. Here are some of the milestones of tonight's countdown:
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
"Go" for fueling
11:15 p.m.: SpaceX is proceeding into fueling operations of the Falcon 9 that is standing ready for launch at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for a liftoff targeted for 11:50 p.m. ET.
One until hour to liftoff
10:50 p.m.: With one hour remaining before liftoff, SpaceX is continuing to countdown and the weather looks favorable. Stay tuned as we bring updates going into fueling of the Falcon 9 set to begin shortly.
Welcome to live coverage
10:40 p.m.: Good evening and welcome to live coverage of tonight's SpaceX Falcon 9 mission for OneWeb. Liftoff from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is slated for 11:50 p.m. A landing at the Cape's Landing Zone 1 is expected a short time later. Local spectators should expect sonic booms with the booster's return. This mission will send 40 internet-beaming satellites to similar orbits over the course of about an hour and a half following liftoff. Stay tuned as we provide updates throughout tonight's launch and landing attempts.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Watch SpaceX launch and land a Cape Canaveral Falcon 9 mission