Updates: SpaceX launches three-core Falcon Heavy from KSC, lands at Cape Canaveral

Emre Kelly and Craig Bailey, Florida Today
·4 min read
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Update: Liftoff! SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket launched the USSF-67 mission for the Space Force at 5:56 p.m. EST Sunday, Jan. 15. The rocket's two side boosters successfully landed at Cape Canaveral's Landing Zones 1 and 2 shortly after liftoff, generating sonic booms on the way down. This marked the third launch of 2023 for the Space Coast.

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Follow live as SpaceX targets 5:56 p.m. EST Sunday, Jan. 15, for the launch of a three-core Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida and subsequent dual-booster landing at Cape Canaveral.

Teams at pad 39A have until 6:33 p.m. EST to launch the 230-foot rocket on a Space Force mission with several payloads, some of which are experimental. About eight minutes after liftoff, the rocket's two side boosters will target simultaneous landings at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Landing Zones 1 and 2, generating their signature sonic booms during the descent. The booms are largely harmless.

Weather for this evening's attempt is nearly 100% "go." Sunset timing (5:48 p.m. EST) should make for ideal launch lighting conditions as Falcon Heavy flies eastward.

See updates below (to follow real-time updates and ask questions, follow this link):

Liftoff!

On-time liftoff of Falcon Heavy at 5:56 p.m. EST! The rocket's side boosters also successfully landed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Landing Zones 1 and 2.

T-minus 2 minutes!

5:54 p.m. EST: Two minutes to launch! At 2 minutes and 28 seconds into flight, Falcon Heavy's side boosters will separate, then return to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Touchdown expected at 6:04 p.m. EST. This entire process should be visible to those on the Space Coast this evening.

Falcon Heavy's post-launch timeline:

5:46 p.m. EST: Weather looks good. Range is green (clear of hazards or malfunctions). All set for liftoff at 5:56 p.m. EST. Here's the post-launch timeline:

  • 00:01:11: Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)

  • 00:02:24: Side boosters engine cutoff (BECO)

  • 00:02:28: Side boosters separate

  • 00:02:43: Side boosters boostback burns begin

  • 00:03:52: Side boosters boostback burns end

  • 00:03:55: 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)

  • 00:03:59: Center core 1st and 2nd stages separate

  • 00:04:05: 2nd stage engine starts (SES)

  • 00:04:22: Fairing deployment

  • 00:06:32: Side boosters entry burns start

  • 00:06:44: Side boosters entry burns end

  • 00:07:42: Side boosters landing burns start

  • 00:08:00: Side boosters landing

Sonic boom reminder

Reminder: This evening's launch includes simultaneous booster landings at Landing Zones 1 and 2. Be prepared for sonic booms generated by the incoming side boosters, which might sound like up to six rapid-fire booms, but more likely two loud "thumps."

Inside 20 minutes to launch

5:36 p.m. EST: Now inside 20 minutes to liftoff from pad 39A. Looking good for the Space Coast's third launch of the year.

Center core second stage fueling soon

5:30 p.m. EST: Fueling of the center core's upper stage with liquid oxygen, one of the last steps in the pre-launch process, will begin in eight minutes. Then just a few more steps before liftoff at 5:56 p.m. EST sharp. Weather's still nearly 100% "go."

Fifth flight on Falcon Heavy

5:25 p.m. EST: This evening's launch, still on track for 5:56 p.m. EST, will mark the fifth flight for Falcon Heavy since the debut mission nearly five years ago on Feb. 6, 2018. SpaceX says at least three more FH missions are on tap for this year, but we'll see how it pans out. The launch schedule right now is pretty full with Falcon 9, ULA's Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur, Relativity's Terran 1, and more.

Falcon Heavy's flight profile:

Remainder of the countdown:

Here's what's left in the countdown for Falcon Heavy's fifth flight since 2018:

  • T-minus 00:45:00: 1st stage and side boosters LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins

  • -00:35:00: 2nd stage RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins

  • -00:18:30: 2nd stage LOX loading begins

  • -00:07:00: Falcon Heavy begins engine chill

  • -00:00:59: Flight computer commanded to begin final pre-launch checks

  • -00:00:45: SpaceX launch director verifies go for launch

  • -00:00:20: Propellant tanks pressurize for flight

  • -00:00:06: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start

  • 5:56 p.m. EST: Falcon Heavy liftoff

Falcon Heavy fueling underway

5:10 p.m. EST: "Launch auto-sequence has started," SpaceX's launch director says. Fueling of the Falcon Heavy rocket's side boosters and core stage is now underway.

Inside an hour to liftoff

SpaceX still set for launch this evening

Teams at pad 39A are still targeting 5:56 p.m. EST for liftoff of Falcon Heavy on the USSF-67 mission for the Space Force. SpcaeX is expected to begin fueling the rocket at 5:21 p.m. EST.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Updates: SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy from KSC, lands at Cape Canaveral