SpaceX to launch new Falcon 9 mission for later today (April 23, 2024)

Space exploration launch vehicle company SpaceX will send a new Falcon 9 rocket mission into low-Earth orbit today at 6:17 p.m. ET. This is a Starlink exclusive launch schedule and the payload fairings include 23 Starlink satellites.

Last week, SpaceX commanded two Starlink missions from Florida and deployed 46 Starlink satellites. These missions helped the company to post 40 missions this year.

Earlier this month, SpaceX launched its booster-stage rocket for the 20th time. The booster was first used in November 2020, and since then, it has delivered more than 500 satellites and 8 astronauts into space. These combine more than 260 metric tons of payload into orbit.

This new Falcon 9 mission will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The company has a backup launch window on the same day until 9:25 p.m. ET. The liftoff is also possible on the next day starting at 5:50 p.m.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on March 10, 2024 (Credit: SpaceX)

This is the ninth flight for the first-stage booster. It was previously used in Crew-6, SES 03b mPOWSER, USSF-124, and five Starlink missions.

SpaceX will start the pre-launch process 38 minutes before the liftoff. These preparations include propellant loading, prelaunch checks, verification for launch, and engine ignition sequence.

Post liftoff, the company will cut off the main engine at 2:26 minutes into the mission and separate stages a few seconds later. The first stage landing sequence will begin shortly after reorientation and is planned for a landing at 8:09 minutes into the mission. The second stage will conclude the mission at about 1:04 hour.

This mission will be broadcast on the official SpaceX website and social media site X. The live feed will start five minutes prior to liftoff.

(source – SpaceX)