SpaceX Launch Sends More Starlink Satellites to Orbit on Thursday Evening

SpaceX launch from Vandenberg SFB on May 9, 2024 (courtesy)

By the edhat staff
May 10, 2024

On Thursday, May 9 at 9:30 p.m., Falcon 9 launched 20 Starlink satellites, including six with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

This was the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched USSF-62, and now three Starlink missions.

Watch the full launch below:

SpaceX launch from Vandenberg SFB on May 9, 2024 (courtesy)
SpaceX launch from Vandenberg SFB on May 9, 2024 as seen from Santa Barbara (Photo by Joe DeLise)

By the edhat staff
May 7, 2024

SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, May 8, for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Liftoff is targeted for 7:48 p.m., with backup opportunities available until 10:30 p.m. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, May 9 starting at 7:48 p.m.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched USSF-62, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Edhat Staff

Written by Edhat Staff

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6 Comments

    • curious as to the delay’s? Space❌ is currently showing; “Liftoff is targeted for 8:50 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 9:42 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, May 9 starting at 8:20 p.m. PT.”
      with similar results from SpaceFlightNow as well; “Launch time: 8:50 p.m.”
      winds hovering between 4-9 mph currently clear sky 60 ish…

      • Wasn’t paying much attention last evening so I’d thought I missed the “8:50 PM” launch but after see this I didn’t miss anything (yet);
        “Standing down from tonight’s Falcon 9 launch of @Starlink
        satellites from California, now targeting tomorrow, May 9 → http://spacex.com/launches

      • SpaceFlightNow is showing; Updated May 09 “Launch time: 8:20 p.m. PDT (11:20 p.m. EDT, 0320 UTC)
        Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California”
        ; as well as answering my initial query; ” The launch time was pushed back multiple times Wednesday and Space❌ did not give a reason for delaying a day.” 🙂

        • DpsceFlightNow Launch Schedule now showing; Updated May 10 {FYI: it’s still 5/9 west coast} -> “Launch time: 9:30 p.m. PDT (12:30 a.m. EDT, 0430 UTC)
          Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California”
          Still no real explanation as to these “delays”… ;(

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