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NASA Crew-11 Arrives at Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Crew-11 arrived at Kennedy Space Center the afternoon of July 26. The crew will launch to the International Space Station no earlier than July 31.

Launch recap: Scroll down to read updates from the Starlink 10-29 mission, which launched 11:37 p.m. July 29 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Original story: Those waiting for a rocket launch do not have to wait much longer − a Falcon 9 rocket is planned to lift off tonight from Florida’s Space Coast.

SpaceX plans to launch the Starlink 10-29 mission now at 11:37 p.m. July 29. Various factors, such as weather at the launch and booster landing locations could change timing. SpaceX states it has until 3:30 a.m. July 30 to launch during this window.

Lift off will be from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket will travel on a northeast trajectory, meaning those north of the Space Coast could get great views of the bright rocket against the night sky.

The mission is the latest batch of 27 SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites, which deliver internet to customers in some of the most remote areas in the world.

No Space Coast sonic booms will follow the liftoff, as the rocket’s first-stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 11:45 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX’s drone ship Just Read the Instructions out on the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 26th mission.

SpaceX Liftoff!

Update 11:37 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 28 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral SLC-40!

SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 11:32 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.

We are 10 minutes from tonight’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch!

Update 11:27 p.m.: T-10 minutes! Head outside if you plan on catching this launch! If you have clear skies, it will be hard to miss the bright rocket rising into the night sky.

Simply look towards the direction South of Kennedy Space Center from your direction. 

SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral countdown timeline

Update 11:17 p.m.: T- 20 minutes until tonight’s launch.

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 11:06 p.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement.

That means tonight’s Starlink mission is now locked in to lift off at 11:37 p.m. without any countdown delays, or else the launch must be postponed.

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster slated to fly 26th mission

Update 10:56 p.m.: Tonight’s booster is flying for the 26th time.

Previous missions include 21 Starlink missions, CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18 and SES-19.

Liftoff is scheduled for 11:37 p.m.

SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard

Update 10:46 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 10:36 p.m.: SpaceX has announced the next planned launch of Starship out of Starbase, Texas. This launch comes after the last few missions ended in the loss of the ship before reentry.

There is currently no official launch date.

The uncrewed missions are aimed at pushing the design limits of Starship. Starship is aimed at becoming SpaceX’s next workhorse launch system. SpaceX anticipates to eventually launch from and land at multiple Florida launch pads.

Tonight’s Falcon 9 launch is in just over an hour from now.

Update 10:25 p.m.: On July 29, SpaceX completed testing of the Falcon 9 rocket which will launch NASA Crew-11 to the ISS.

This test fire comes after an attempted test aborted on Monday, July 28 with less than a minute to the engine fire. SpaceX attributed the issue to the “transporter erector’s cradle arm position indication”. The transporter erector is what transports the rocket and raises it into launch position.

Tonight’s liftoff is still planned for 11:37 p.m.

Update 10:15 p.m.: The 45th Weather Squadron has released the T-2 day weather report ahead of the planned July 31 launch of NASA’s Crew-11.

It is predicted launch day will see an 85% chance of favorable conditions during the time of the liftoff.

The crew of four will launch to the International Space Station from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Liftoff is planned for 12:09 p.m. July 31.

Update 10:05 p.m.: On this day in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Act was signed and NASA saw its creation. NASA has been solving the mysteries of the solar system and beyond for the last 67 years.

Update 9:53 p.m.: The 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 90% chance of favorable conditions for tonight’s launch, which is currently set for 11:37 p.m.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.