SpaceX launch recap: Starlink 6-58 mission Sunday night from Cape Canaveral, Florida

Brooke Edwards, Florida Today
Updated ·5 min read

Launch recap:  Scroll down for live coverage of the Sunday, May 12, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.

Into the night: SpaceX launches Starlink satellites Sunday from Cape Canaveral, Florida

Liftoff was originally set for 8:11 p.m., yet SpaceX had officially announced Sunday afternoon that the launch time had been moved to 8:53 p.m.. A reason for the delay of the Sunday evening launch from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) was not provided. The launch window ran until 12:11 a.m., following the typical four-hour period seen with Starlink launches.

When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida

Should SpaceX have not been able to launch Sunday, backup opportunities were available beginning at 7:45 p.m. Monday.

The Falcon 9 booster used saw its 15th flight. It was previously used for nine other Starlink missions, as well as memorable missions such as CRS-27 and Bandwagon-1.

Local sonic booms were not heard, as this Falcon 9 landed out on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

Will the solar storm impact Starlink?

Friday saw the largest solar activity in 19 years, with multiple reports of the aurora borealis seen as far south as Central Florida on Friday evening. The last time the aurora was spotted in Florida was in 1989.

With the ability of solar storms to impact communication satellites, many are wondering if this will impact Starlink.

Elon Musk posted on X that while Friday's solar storms put Starlink satellites under a lot of pressure, they appear to be holding up to the increased solar activity.

While the 45th Weather Squadron predicted a 85% chance of favorable weather, the solar activity predicted was moderate to high. This did not appear to impact the decision to launch.

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Countdown Timer

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 9:02 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas out on the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 15th mission.

Liftoff!

Update 8:53 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 8:48 p.m.: Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

We are 10 minutes from tonight’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch!

Update 8:43 p.m.: T-10 minutes! Head outside if you plan on catching this launch! If you have clear skies, it will be hard to miss the bright rocket rising into the sky.

Simply look towards the direction South of Kennedy Space Center from your direction.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gives Starship update

Update 8:36 p.m.: As we wait for tonight's Starlink to lift off, here is a recent update CEO Elon Musk gave on X, hinting at a Starship flight from Texas in the coming weeks.

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway

Update 8:19 p.m.: SpaceX has announced they are currently fueling.

That means tonight’s Starlink mission is now locked in to lift off at 8:53 p.m. without any countdown delays, or else the launch must be postponed.

If for any reason there is a delay, the next launch opportunity begins tomorrow night at 8:59 p.m. EDT.

SpaceX launch countdown timeline

Update 8:10p.m.: As we wait for fueling of the rocket to announced, here's a behind-the-scenes rundown of SpaceX’s countdown timeline. T-minus:

  • 38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for propellant load.

  • 35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.

  • 16 minutes: Second-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.

  • 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch.

  • 1 minute: Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.

  • 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for launch.

  • 3 seconds: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start.

  • 0 seconds: Liftoff.

SpaceX booster slated to fly 15th mission

Update 8:00 p.m.: This evening’s mission is launched by a Falcon 9 first stage booster which has flown 14 previous times.

This booster flew memorable missions such as CRS-27 and Bandwagon-1 as well as nine other Starlink batches.

SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard

Update 7:53 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of tonight's SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch.

SpaceX is planning another launch of Starship

Update 7:48 p.m.: SpaceX has teased on X that it plans another launch of Starship from Boca Chica, Texas in the coming weeks. This will be the fourth flight of the fully-stacked Starship.

On May 8th, SpaceX stated that they completed a static fire test of Starship’s six Raptor engines.

A launch date has yet to be provided.

A beautiful evening for another SpaceX Falcon 9 launch

Update 7:30 p.m.: After a slight delay from the originally scheduled liftoff time of 8:11 p.m., SpaceX is now targeting 8:53 p.m. to launch the next batch of Starlink satellites.

It's currently mostly clear near the Space Coast.

The 45th Weather Squadron calls for 85% favorable conditions for tonight’s launch window.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launch recap: Starlink mission Sunday night from Space Coast