NASA astronauts return to Earth in SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule
After being “stuck” for nearly a year in space, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are back on Earth following splashdown of a SpaceX capsule.
NASA Footage
Launch recap: Scroll down to read live updates from the SpaceX Starlink 12-17 mission, which launched at 8:53 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 from KSC Pad 39A.
Original story: After scrubbing two days in a row, SpaceX will try once again tonight to launch the Starlink 12-17 mission.
SpaceX is aiming to launch 21 Starlink internet satellites at 8:53 p.m. EDT Saturday from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Launch opportunities exist until 12:42 a.m. on Sunday.
SpaceX did not give a reason for the Friday or early Saturday scrubs. On Friday, weather didn’t seem to be an issue. But Saturday, there were weather concerns around the time SpaceX would have began fueling.
After liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket will travel on a southeast trajectory.
No Central Florida sonic booms will be heard, as the first-stage booster will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship, which will be waiting out on the Atlantic Ocean.
There is still no new launch date for the Atlas V that scrubbed because of high winds and weather concerns Wednesday night.
Another SpaceX launch is also set to take place no earlier than 9:59 p.m. on Sunday from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update 9:01 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 10th mission.
SpaceX liftoff!
Update 8:53 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 Starlink satellites from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A!
SpaceX launch webcast begins
Update 8:48 p.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 Kennedy Space Center.
Update 8:43 p.m.: Liftoff is in 10 minutes! Head outside and look towards the direction of Kennedy Space Center. The bright rocket will be hard to miss as it rises above the buildings and trees. With skies being clear, the area of Kennedy Space Center will light up almost as if sunrise is coming.
After liftoff, the rocket will travel southeast.
Update 8:33 p.m.: Liftoff is in 20 minutes from KSC Pad 39A.
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 Falcon 9 fueling now underway
Update 8:22 p.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A, though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement.
This means SpaceX must launch at 8:53 p.m. or stand down for the night.
Update 8:15 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency’s launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
Liftoff is targeted for 8:53 p.m..
Update 8:05 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first stage booster launching tonight’s Starlink mission is flying for the 10th time. It previously flew four Starlink missions, NASA Crew-8, Polaris Dawn, CRS-31, Astranis: From One to Many, and IM-2.
Update 7:55 p.m.: Now back on Earth, the Fram2 crew, who flew to space earlier this month, have received astronaut wings from SpaceX.
Commander, Chun Wang, mentions Polaris Dawn, a private mission which flew to space last September. NASA Administrator nominee, Jared Isaacman, funded the mission and performed the first ever spacewalk by a private company.
In a turn of events, the Falcon 9 booster flying tonight’s Starlink mission also launched the Polaris Dawn mission.
Update 7:45 p.m.: During the early hours of Saturday, SpaceX launched a National Security payload from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Up next is this long delayed Starlink 12-17 mission from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Liftoff is set for 8:53 p.m..
Update 7:30 p.m.: SpaceX is aiming to launch at 8:53 p.m. tonight from KSC. Weather in Brevard County is currently clear.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.