Updates: SpaceX Starlink launch Sunday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida

Rick Neale, Florida Today
Updated ·4 min read

Updates:  Scroll down for live coverage of the 8:52 p.m. EST liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday, Jan. 14.

SpaceX has pushed back the target liftoff time to 8:52 p.m. to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The Falcon 9 will deploy a batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites, which are packed inside the fairing atop the 230-foot rocket. The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron pegs the odds of "go for launch" weather at 80%, with thick cloud layers posing the primary risk.

SpaceX did not publicly announce why Saturday's Starlink 6-37 mission was initially postponed.

No local sonic booms are expected tonight. After soaring skyward along a southeastern trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a drone ship out at sea about 8½ minutes after liftoff.

Countdown Timer

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 9 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 12th mission.

Liftoff!

Update 8:52 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX live launch webcast begins

Update 8:47 p.m.: SpaceX's live launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted at the top of this page.

Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launch approaching

Update 8:40 p.m.: Twelve minutes before SpaceX's scheduled 8:52 p.m. Falcon 9 launch, the countdown appears to be proceeding as planned. Fueling remains well underway at Launch Complex 40.

As a reminder, here is a list of key upcoming countdown milestones. T-minus:

  • 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: Falcon 9 liftoff.

SpaceX booster to land on drone ship

Update 8:34 p.m.: Tonight's mission marks the 12th flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.

Following stage separation, the booster is slated to land on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas out on the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 13 seconds after liftoff.

The booster previously launched SES-22, ispace’s HAKUTO-R Mission 1, Hispasat Amazonas Nexus mission, CRS-27 and seven Starlink missions, SpaceX reported.

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling is now underway

Update 8:21 p.m.: Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, SpaceX just announced.

That means tonight’s Starlink 6-37 mission is now committed to lift off at 8:52 p.m., or else the launch must be postponed.

SpaceX to launch Axiom-3 astronaut mission

Update 8:05 p.m.: On Wednesday, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch four European astronauts to the International Space Station aboard a Dragon capsule.

Axiom-3 mission details:

  • Launch target: 5:11 p.m.

  • Location: Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

  • Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.

SpaceX delays launch to 8:52 p.m.

Update 7:26 p.m.: SpaceX just announced tonight's liftoff has been pushed back again, to 8:52 p.m.

More backup opportunities are available until 11:25 p.m., if needed.

Radar shows skies clearing at Cape

Update 7:15 p.m.: A National Weather Service radar loop shows a line of showers gradually receding southward from Cape Canaveral.

SpaceX delays liftoff 38 minutes

Update 6:48 p.m.: SpaceX crews have pushed back tonight's target liftoff time from 7:27 to 8:05 p.m.

Rainfall and thick clouds have prevailed much of the afternoon and evening across the Space Coast.

For the latest launch schedule updates from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Updates: SpaceX Starlink launch Sunday night from Cape Canaveral