Brevard’s Sands Space History Center reopens following upgrade
The Sands Space History Center reopens following a drastic overhaul funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman. The center is free to the public
SpaceX plans a doubleheader launch on June 25, starting with the delayed Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crewed mission.Ax-4 will launch no earlier than 2:31 a.m. EST on June 25, sending four astronauts to the ISS.Later that day, a SpaceX Starlink mission is planned between 12:33 p.m. and 5:03 p.m. EST.
Those waiting for a rocket launch are in for a treat, as SpaceX is planning a doubleheader launch day on June 25.
Up first is the long delayed Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). The crewed mission was delayed multiple times recently due to weather, rocket issues, and a leak on the International Space Station (ISS).
The crew of four will launch in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket no earlier than 2:31 a.m. Wednesday. The launch window is instantaneous, as the crew is traveling to the ISS, which orbits Earth at more than 17,500 mph.
The rocket will travel on a northeast trajectory, allowing for great nighttime views of the launch from north of the Space Coast.
This launch will be a loud one, as just over eight minutes past lift off, the rocket’s booster will return to Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 1. The sonic boom will be heard throughout the Space Coast area approximately nine minutes after liftoff.
Commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the Ax-4 mission is a two-week science mission stay. Axiom Space is working with NASA to create a space station, referred to as Axiom Station, which will attach to the current ISS before its planned 2030 decommission. There is currently no set launch date for Axiom Station.
The crew is international. Joining Whitson are Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. These three astronauts will bring a return to spaceflight for their respective countries. In over 40 years, these countries have not had a government sponsored astronaut.
SpaceX Starlink rocket launch in Florida later in the day
Should the Ax-4 crew lift off on time, it will not the be only rocket launch of the day.
SpaceX has yet to confirm, but navigational warnings indicate a Starlink launch occurring between 12:33 p.m. and 5:03 p.m. Wednesday from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. While SpaceX usually launches early in the window, factors such as weather play a role in timing.
After liftoff, the Falcon 9 will travel on a northeast trajectory so those north of the Space Coast could have good views as well.
Referred to as Starlink 10-16, the mission is the latest batch of SpaceX’s internet-beaming satellites, which deliver internet to some of the most remote areas on Earth.
There will be no Space Coast sonic booms, as just over eight minutes past liftoff, the rocket’s booster will land on a SpaceX drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide live updates beginning 90 minutes prior to liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.