SpaceX launch recap: Starlink mission Wednesday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch recap: Scroll down to review live coverage of the Wednesday, April 10, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

There's an early morning launch on tap from Cape Canaveral — with liftoff targeted less than 13 hours after the afternoon launch of the last Delta IV Heavy rocket!

Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team live coverage of the SpaceX Starlink 6-48 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX is now targeting 1:40 a.m. EDT Wednesday, more than an hour and a half later than originally scheduled, to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming rocket launch schedule for SpaceX, ULA, NASA in Florida

The Falcon 9 will deploy a batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites, which are packed inside the fairing atop the 230-foot rocket.

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

Countdown Timer

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 1:48 a.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship Just Read the Instructions out on the Atlantic Ocean, completing its second mission.

Liftoff!

Update 1:40 a.m.: After a series of delays, 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 1:35 a.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, right below the countdown clock.

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

SpaceX booster to land on drone ship

Update 1:27 a.m.: Tonight's mission marks only the second flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.

Following stage separation, crews expect the booster — which previously launched Crew-8 — to land on the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions out on the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 20 seconds after liftoff.

SpaceX: Systems and weather 'go for launch'

Update 1:18 a.m.: Launch update from SpaceX: "Propellant load has begun for tonight’s launch of 23 @Starlink satellites from Florida. All systems and weather are currently go for launch."

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling finally underway

Update 1:08 a.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement.

That means tonight’s Starlink countdown is now locked in to lift off at 1:40 a.m. without any delays, or else the launch must be postponed.

SpaceX postpones launch again, to 1:40 a.m.

Update 12:44 a.m.: The new liftoff target time is 1:40 a.m., SpaceX announced.

For those keeping track, this Starlink 6-48 mission had previous launch times of 12:04 a.m., 12:44 a.m. and 1:16 a.m.

SpaceX shares Starlink deployment video

Update 12:20 a.m.: On Sunday, SpaceX officials tweeted a video showing 21 Starlink satellites deploying into low-Earth orbit.

That Falcon 9 launched Saturday night from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

SpaceX delays launch again, to 1:16 a.m.

Update 11:58 p.m.: SpaceX has announced its third target liftoff time: 1:16 a.m.

Starlink satellite films solar eclipse

Update 11:45 p.m.: On Monday, SpaceX officials tweeted this video from an orbiting Starlink satellite that shows the moon's round shadow darkening the Earth during the solar eclipse.

SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard

Update 11:25 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming post-midnight Falcon 9 launch.

SpaceX pushes back launch to 12:44 a.m.

Update 10:58 p.m.: SpaceX has announced the target liftoff time has been pushed back 40 minutes, to 12:44 a.m.

SpaceX launch countdown timeline

Update 10:45 p.m.: 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.

Space Force: 90% odds of 'go for launch' weather

Update 10:30 p.m.: The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron forecast calls for 90% odds of favorable weather for the upcoming SpaceX launch.

"A strong upper-level ridge over the eastern half of the U.S. will remain in place through midweek, so dry, pleasant conditions will persist through Wednesday," the squadron's forecast said.

"Winds will become southeasterly as the surface high-pressure moves eastward into the Atlantic. Low-level moisture will slowly increase so there is small chance of seeing some low-topped cumulus moving off the coastal waters by the launch window," the forecast said.

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

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

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launch recap: Starlink mission Wednesday from Cape Canaveral