First it was going to be January 4th, then the 6th, and… there’ve been no updates, the recovery fleet is still in Port Canaveral, and we just don’t know what’s up with this launch.
Stay tuned, I guess? We’ll pass along info when we have some.
Turksat 5A… um… well…
Next Up: SpX NROL-108
Aaaaaargh I forgot to update the site again, and this is important, yo:
SpaceX is launching the NROL-108 mission on a Falcon 9 rocket from pad LC-39A this Thursday, December 17th, within a three-hour window that begins at 9:00 am local time (GMT-5) and the reason why this matters is because this is a Return To Launch Site landing, expected to occur at LZ-1, and those are becoming rarer and rarer lately.
For this launch, Jetty Park is going to be the prime location, in order to get the best views of that landing booster. As a bonus, the booster from the SXM 7 launch is expected to arrive in port at dawn, so an exciting day to take a trip to Port Canaveral! Remember to buy your Jetty Park admission in advance; they will scan your admission code at the gate.
Cheers!
December 10th Launch Update: WTAF?
ETA: Deadlock broken. ULA’s Delta IV Heavy is scheduled for the 10th; SpaceX will launch SXM7 on the 11th.
If you have looked at the latest launch schedule and noticed that two different launches seem to be happening on the same day, and are wondering what’s up with that?
It’s okay. None of the rest of us know, either.
CRS-21 Launch Wrap-Up & Booster Return
So, CRS-21 launched this morning from LC-39A, and the view from Playalinda Beach was glorious…
Next Up: Okay, Wait, What?
As I write this, it’s 12:37 a.m. on the morning of the fifth and we don’t know yet whether SpaceX’s CRS-21 is going to launch today (ETA: it isn’t; Sunday the 6th at 11:17 am local (GMT-5), instead) and yet already I’m looking past that, because the launch schedule ’round these parts nowadays is just weird.
Next Up: CRS-21 (maybe?) 12/5
So, yeah, it’s totally not like I’ve been busy with holiday stuffs and slacking on the rocket-ish things… Anyway, as of now there’s only a 40% chance that weather will allow it, with moderate risk of upper-level winds and high risk of bad recovery weather, but if the Fates are kind, SpaceX will be launching their Cargo Dragon to the ISS on its CRS-21 mission on a Falcon 9 from pad LC-39A on Saturday, December 5th at 11:39 a.m. local time (GMT-5).
12/3 ETA: Improving weather outlooks might? increase the PGO from 40% to a better number? Keep an ear to the wind with this one; don’t make any non-refundable travel plans just yet.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Upcoming Space Coast Launches
Falcon Heavy on pad LC-39A the day before its historic debut, poised for flight. Photo by Lupi.
At this time, we recommend that you consult the following resource for the most up-to-date launch information available: