SpaceX is targeting today, Thursday, February 3 for a Falcon 9 launch of 49 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 1:13 p.m. EST (18:13 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on Friday, February 4 at 12:51 p.m. EST (17:51 UTC). Falcon 9 will fly on a southern trajectory along Florida’s eastern coast over the Atlantic Ocean and may be visible from the ground.
The booster supporting this mission previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, and IXPE. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. One fairing half previously supported five Starlink missions, and the other half previously supported Transporter-1 and two Starlink missions.
You can watch the live launch webcast starting about 15 minutes before liftoff.
Rod Washington: Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He also produces news and documentary video projects. Check out his podcast StoriesThisMoment at https://m3e.d71.myftpupload.com/stm-tncn-podcasts/
