This morning, SpaceX will launch a pair of WorldView Legion imaging satellites for Maxar, a space technology company, and give the Space Coast the thrill of a booster rocket landing with a sonic boom.
According to SpaceX, the launch window is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. EST. The satellites will launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40, just south of Kennedy Space Center. The launch will take place on a northeast trajectory.
The Space Force's 45th Weather Group predicts an 80 percent chance of favorable weather during the launch period.
When is the next rocket launch to Florida? Is there a launch today? SpaceX and NASA's upcoming launch schedule from Florida
Eight and a half minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage will return to the first landing zone at Cape Canaveral, creating a sonic boom. The sound is generated when the Falcon 9 rocket falls faster than the speed of sound.
No need to worry, the landing burns and net fins slow and steer the booster before landing.
And here's where the interesting stuff starts – viewers will see the Falcon 9 rocket fall before they hear the sonic boom. This is simply due to physics, as light travels faster than sound.
These two satellites will be the third and fourth in the Maxar series, which is planned to consist of six satellites in total.
Maxar says all six satellites will be in orbit by the end of 2024, with the final pair launching later this year.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lands Update 9:08 PM: The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket just landed at Landing Zone 1!
SpaceX Take off!
Update at 9:00 AM: SpaceX just launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Maxar satellites from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Station.
SpaceX Launch Live Stream Begins Update 8:48 AM: Now, the SpaceX launch webcast, hosted by X (formerly Twitter), is live above, just below the countdown clock.
The launch is scheduled to take place in 12 minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Station.
SpaceX launch countdown Update 8:38 AM: Here's a behind-the-scenes rundown of SpaceX's countdown timeline.
38 minutes: SpaceX launch director confirms fuel payload is ready.35 minutes: Start loading high quality kerosene and liquid oxygen into the first stage.16 minutes: The second stage of liquid oxygen loading begins.7 minutes: The Falcon 9 rocket engine begins cooling before launch.1 minute: The flight computer begins final checks before launch; the fuel tank pressure starts according to flight pressure.45 seconds: SpaceX launch director confirms launch readiness.3 seconds: The engine controller gives commands to the engine ignition sequence to start.0 seconds: Take off.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket fueling process has now begun Update 8:26 AM: SpaceX confirmed that it has begun refueling the vehicle in preparation for liftoff at 9 a.m.!
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