11 things you should know about Thursday's SpaceX launch
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Update: Liftoff of Falcon 9 at 4:32 a.m. EST! The rocket boosted 56 Starlink satellites to orbit then landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full post-launch story here.
SpaceX is poised to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station early Thursday morning.
Here are 11 things you need to know about the launch:
Launch Opportunities: 4:22 a.m. or 6:03 a.m. Thursday morning.
Weather: Space Force forecasters predict a 70% chance of "go" conditions.
Primary concerns: Thick clouds and lingering conditions from a passing cold front that could enable potential rocket-triggered lightning — a phenomenon that could occur by launching a rocket into an electrically charged atmosphere.
Payload: 56 Starlink internet-beaming satellites.
Landing: Drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Sonic booms: None.
Launch number: This will be 2023's fifth launch from Florida.
Starlink launch number: This will be the 68th Starlink launch.
Starlink Status: There are more than 3,500 Starlink satellites already in orbit.
Back up opportunities: Friday at 3:57 a.m. or 5:38 a.m.
Back up attempt forecast: 90% "go" conditions expected.
Follow Florida Today's live coverage of SpaceX's Starlink mission set to begin 60 minutes before at https://www.floridatoday.com/space/.
For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Jamie Groh is a space reporter for Florida Today. You can contact her at JGroh@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AlteredJamie.
Rob Landers is a veteran multimedia journalist for the USA Today Network of Florida. Contact Landers at 321-242-3627 or rlanders@gannett.com. Instagram: @ByRobLanders Youtube: @florida_today
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX Starlink 11 things space coast brevard launch
