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 launch of the SpaceX Starlink 6-80 mission, which launched at 3:52 p.m. on Monday, March 31.
Original story: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift off from Cape Canaveral this afternoon in what could be the first of a double-header.
Should this launch lift off without delay, it could be followed by a privately funded crewed mission later tonight. SpaceX plans to launch four astronauts on a mission around Earth’s poles.
SpaceX has confirmed the Monday afternoon Starlink liftoff is now targeted for 3:52 p.m., however weather conditions at the launch and first-stage landing locations play a role in timing.
The Monday afternoon rocket launch will be carrying the latest batch of SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites. Depending on the weather, it could be a good Monday afternoon show for those watching from Cape Canaveral and the surrounding areas.
With the payload being in the Group Six Starlink satellites, the rocket will travel on a southeastern trajectory, meaning those south of Cape Canaveral could get a good view.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellites provide internet in even some of the most remote places on Earth to paying customers.
No Space Coast sonic booms will be heard as the first-stage will land on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean eight-and-a-half minutes after liftoff.
The Fram2 crewed mission is scheduled for launch at 9:46 p.m. tonight from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Launch opportunities also exist at 11:20 p.m., and 12:53 a.m. and 2:26 a.m. Tuesday morning. Launch and recovery weather play a large part in timing.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update 4:01 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX’s Just Read the Instructions drone ship out on the Atlantic Ocean.
Update 3:52 p.m.: The rocket has left SLC-40! The first launch of a potential double-header!
SpaceX launch webcast begins
Update 3:48 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 Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Update 3:42 p.m.: If you plan on catching this afternoon rocket, make plans to head outside now. The Falcon 9 will be visible in the daylight sky as it flies southeast − cloud coverage permitting.
SpaceX launch countdown timeline
Update 3:32 p.m.: 20 minutes to go until the first liftoff of the day!
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.
Update 3:23 p.m.: Visual cues indicate that SpaceX is fueling the rocket ahead of a planned liftoff. This means SpaceX must now liftoff at 3:52 p.m. or scrub for the day.
SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard
Update 3:16 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency’s launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
Update 3:06 p.m.: The Falcon 9 launching this Starlink mission also launched a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft on the NG-21 back in August 2024. The mission was Northrop Grumman’s 21st resupply mission to the International Space Station.
Recently, the Cygnus separated from the ISS for its return to Earth. SEN’s cameras onboard the ISS captured the moment.
Update 2:56 p.m.: SpaceX is still moving towards a 3:52 p.m. liftoff for the Starlink 6-80 mission.
This afternoon’s launch will be the 17th flight for the first-stage booster. The booster had previously launched 10 other Starlink missions, Axiom’s Ax-2 crew, Euclid, Axiom’s Ax-3 crew, the CRS-30 ISS resupply mission, SES ASTRA 1P, and the NG-21 ISS resupply mission.
Update 2:46 p.m.: Today could be a rare same day double-header! After this Starlink 6-80 mission, SpaceX plans to launch a crew of four into a polar orbit. This is a mission to watch, as this will be the first ever astronaut mission to reach a polar orbit.
Upon liftoff tonight, the rocket will fly straight south. Weather permitting, those south of Cape Canaveral may get a great show as the rocket flies overhead.
Update 2:36 p.m.: This mission was originally set to launch yesterday, Sunday, March 30. The weather has now provided us with a potential same day double-header!
FLORIDA TODAY photographer, Craig Bailey, took this photo of the storms moving in yesterday evening.
Update 2:25 p.m.: The weather is looking better today for the launch attempt of the Starlink 6-80 mission from Cape Canaveral SLC-40. Storms have since moved out of the area, and the sun is shining over Brevard County.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.