17.05.2025

What you need to know: SpaceX rocket launch from Cape Canaveral set for Monday night

Those waiting for the next launch do not have to wait long, as a Falcon 9 rocket is set to take to the Cape Canaveral skies again early next week.

This mission comes after the lunchtime April 14 SpaceX Starlink mission, which drew spectators to watch the rocket rise into the bright afternoon sky.

For this next launch, you'll have to stay up late to catch the rocket. It's another night launch.

While SpaceX has yet to confirm, navigational warnings indicate a SpaceX rocket launching between 11:40 p.m. Monday, May 19 and 12:46 a.m. Tuesday, May 20 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. SpaceX typically launches in the beginning of the window, yet weather at the launch and booster landing locations play a factor in timing.

No Space Coast sonic booms will be heard as just over eight minutes after launch, the first-stage booster will land out on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Florida.

As for the mission, it is slated to be the next batch of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites. The mission is referred to as Starlink 12-15.

Quelle: Florida Today

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Update: 21.05.2025

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SpaceX launches new Falcon 9 rocket Tuesday night from Cape Canaveral

A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster with a clean slate took to the sky Tuesday night, as it lofted a batch of internet satellites to orbit.

The mission was referred to as Starlink 12-15, and was the latest set of 23 SpaceX Starlink satellites. Starlink provides internet service to customers in some of the most remote places on Earth.

According to SpaceX, the booster, or first stage of the rocket, was on its first flight with this mission. That's something of a rarity, as the company has been pushing its fleet of boosters to flights into the double digits. Most recently, a SpaceX booster saw its 28th flight.

SpaceX does not recover the upper stage of the rocket, allowing it to burn up in the atmosphere.

The 11:19 p.m. May 20 launch was quiet. Just over eight minutes past the liftoff, the new first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which was waiting out in the Atlantic Ocean. Because of this distance, no Space Coast sonic booms were heard.

In the coming days, the Falcon 9 booster will return to Port Canaveralfor recovery and refurbishment. Those fortunate enough to catch sight of the booster will notice its clean appearance compared to its well-flown counterparts which usually sail in and are marked from multiple trips through the atmosphere.

Quelle: Florida Today