SpaceX launch recap: Updates from Starlink Falcon 9 launch Sunday from Cape Canaveral

Rick Neale, Florida Today
Updated ·4 min read

Launch recap: Scroll down for live coverage of the Sunday, Jan. 28, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX Starlink 6-38 mission.

SpaceX is now targeting 8:10 p.m. EST — more than two hours later than originally scheduled — to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Backup opportunities remain available until 9:55 p.m., should more delays arise.

The Falcon 9 will deploy a batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites, which are packed inside the fairing atop the 230-foot rocket.

No local sonic booms are expected. After soaring skyward along a southeastern trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a drone ship out at sea 8½ minutes after liftoff.

Countdown Timer

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 8:18 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas out on the Atlantic Ocean, wrapping up its 18th mission.

Liftoff!

Update 8:10 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 8:09 p.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted at the top of this page.

Liftoff is scheduled in one minute from Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launch approaches

Update 7:58 p.m.: Twelve minutes before SpaceX's scheduled Falcon 9 launch, the countdown appears to be proceeding as planned.

As a reminder, here is a list of key upcoming countdown milestones. T-minus:

  • 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: Falcon 9 liftoff.

SpaceX rocket booster flying 18th mission

Update 7:48 p.m.: Tonight's mission marks the 18th flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.

The booster previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8 and 10 Starlink missions, SpaceX reported.

Following stage separation, the booster is expected to land atop the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas out on the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 37 seconds after liftoff.

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway

Update 7:39 p.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Kennedy Space Center, and SpaceX has confirmed the launch is proceeding.

That means tonight’s Starlink 6-38 mission is now committed to lift off at 8:10 p.m., or else the launch must be postponed.

SpaceX to launch again Tuesday

Update 7:14 p.m.: SpaceX remains on track to launch a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft carrying more than 8,200 pounds of supplies, equipment and science investigations Tuesday to the International Space Station.

Powered by a Falcon 9, the NG-20 NASA resupply mission's liftoff time is 12:07 p.m. Tuesday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX delays launch by two hours

Update 6:46 p.m.: Are upper-level winds a factor in tonight's delayed liftoff, which SpaceX crews have pushed back from 6:15 to 8:10 p.m.?

SpaceX has yet to publicly comment. But the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron pegged liftoff winds — with a low to moderate threat of upper-level wind shear — as the mission's primary meteorological concern.

The squadron forecast a 75% chance of "go for launch" weather.

As of 5:55 p.m., the National Weather Service reported west wind of 16 mph at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Gusts tonight are forecast to reach 25 mph.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launch recap: Updates from Sunday night Starlink launch at KSC