Updates: SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 and 56 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral
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Update: Liftoff of Falcon 9 at 4:32 a.m. EST! The rocket boosted 56 Starlink satellites to orbit then landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full post-launch story here.
Live updates from SpaceX's 4:32 a.m. ET liftoff on Thursday, Jan. 26, of the launch of a 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
If everything goes according to plan, 56 internet-beaming Starlink satellites will be lofted joining the more than 3,500 already in orbit. Shortly after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage will target a drone ship landing in the Atlantic Ocean. Payload deployment is expected about 18 minutes after liftoff.
Weather conditions are expected to be 70% "go" for liftoff. If needed, there is an additional launch opportunity this morning at 6:03 a.m. ET.
For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Updates from Thursday's event below:
The Falcon 9 has landed
4:41 a.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster has landed on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
Liftoff!
4:32 a.m.: The Flacon 9 has lifted off from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying 56 Starlink satellites to orbit.
T-minus five minutes
4:27 a.m.: Less than five minutes remaining until the liftoff of a Falcon 9 from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Here's a look at the post-launch timeline:
00:01:12 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:28 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:31 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:38 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:42 Fairing deployment
00:06:42 1st stage entry burn begins
00:07:00 1st stage entry burn ends
00:08:23 1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:43 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:08:44 1st stage landing
00:18:49 Starlink satellites deploy
Under 10 minutes until launch
4:22 a.m.: Everything continues to proceed as expected with the fueling of the Falcon 9 ahead of a 4:32 a.m. liftoff. Here are the remaining milestones for the rest of the countdown:
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
3:57 a.m.: SpaceX reports that the poll to move into the fueling the Falcon 9 is "go" to begin loading the Falcon 9 with propellant ahead of today's 4:32 a.m. liftoff attempt.
New launch time
3:43 a.m.: SpaceX has confirmed a new liftoff time of 4:32 a.m., a shift about 10 minutes later than originally expected. Still no update about the status of fueling. Weather remains 70% "go" during today's window. Stay tuned.
Welcome to live coverage
3:20 a.m.: Good morning, and welcome to live coverage of today's 68th Starlink Falcon 9 launch for SpaceX. There are two opportunities for launch this morning during a roughly two-and-a-half-hour window, 4:22 a.m. and 6:03 a.m. Some rain and thick clouds are currently moving through the area. Space Force forecasters previously predicted a 70% chance of "go" conditions throughout this morning's window. We will wait and see how SpaceX chooses to proceed this morning. We should hear from the Launch Director in about 20 minutes as far as a decision as to whether or not fueling will begin on time for a 4:22 a.m. liftoff. Stay tuned.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Updates: SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral
