SpaceX launch recap: Live updates from Starlink mission Saturday from Kennedy Space Center

Launch recap: Below is live coverage of the Saturday, July 27, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on the Starlink 10-9 mission.

After a two-week grounding period, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket fleet will return to flight with a post-midnight Starlink mission launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of the Starlink 10-9 mission. After a pair of delays, SpaceX is targeting a 1:45 a.m. EDT Saturday liftoff from pad 39A.

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

No Central Florida sonic booms are expected. After soaring skyward along a northeasterly trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea roughly 8? minutes after liftoff.

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Countdown Timer

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 1:53 a.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean, wrapping up its 17th mission.

Liftoff!

Update 1:45 a.m.: SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket fleet has returned to flight with today's liftoff from KSC.

SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 1:40 a.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, right below the countdown clock.

Liftoff is scheduled in five minutes from KSC.

SpaceX rocket launch weather looks clear

Update 1:35 a.m.: This National Weather Service radar loop shows no cloud cover of note over Cape Canaveral. Ten minutes to go until liftoff.

SpaceX booster to land on drone ship

Update 1:30 a.m.: Tonight's mission marks the 17th flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.

The well-traveled booster previously launched CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18 and SES-19, and a dozen Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, crews expect the booster to land on the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 14 seconds after liftoff.

SpaceX launch countdown timeline

Update 1:20 a.m.: Here's a rundown of SpaceX’s remaining countdown timeline as we approach the 1:45 a.m. liftoff target. T-minus:

• 16 minutes: Second-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.

• 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: Liftoff.

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling about to begin

Update 1:10 a.m.: SpaceX just announced Falcon 9 fueling procedures are about to begin at pad 39A — and "all systems are looking good."

That means tonight’s Starlink countdown will be locked in to lift off at 1:45 a.m. without any delays, or else the launch must be postponed.

SpaceX explains why Falcon 9 failed July 11

Update 12:52 a.m.: In a statement released Thursday night, SpaceX officials provided insight as to why the Falcon 9 upper stage malfunctioned after its July 11 launch from California.

"Post-flight data reviews confirmed Falcon 9’s first stage booster performed nominally through ascent, stage separation, and a successful droneship landing. During the first burn of Falcon 9’s second stage engine, a liquid oxygen leak developed within the insulation around the upper stage engine," the statement said.

"The cause of the leak was identified as a crack in a sense line for a pressure sensor attached to the vehicle’s oxygen system. This line cracked due to fatigue caused by high loading from engine vibration and looseness in the clamp that normally constrains the line," the statement said.

"Despite the leak, the second stage engine continued to operate through the duration of its first burn, and completed its engine shutdown, where it entered the coast phase of the mission in the intended elliptical parking orbit."

NWS radar shows clear skies at Cape Canaveral

Update 12:30 a.m.: This radar loop from the National Weather Service station at Melbourne Orlando International Airport shows no significant cloud cover over Cape Canaveral, though widespread showers are lingering northwest of Orlando and offshore from Daytona Beach.

SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard

Update 12:10 a.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.

SpaceX postpones launch again, to 1:45 a.m.

Update 11:42 p.m.: Another delay. Liftoff has been pushed back nearly another hour, to 1:45 a.m. Saturday.

Starlink service supports 2024 Paris Olympics

Update 11:31 p.m.: This afternoon, Starlink officials shared a TikTok video showing the company's broadband equipment supporting live coverage of the Olympic torch traveling through the streets of Paris.

The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony took place today.

SpaceX pushes back liftoff to 12:59 a.m.

Update 11:11 p.m.: SpaceX officials just announced they are now targeting 12:59 a.m. Saturday for liftoff, a 38-minute delay.

Space Force: 85% odds of 'go for launch' weather

Update 11 p.m.: The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron pegs the odds of favorable launch weather at 85%.

"The western Atlantic ridge axis is north of the Spaceport with deep onshore flow continuing to drive the east coast seabreeze quickly inland each afternoon. Lingering effects from Saharan dust will keep conditions drier than normal, with lower chances for overnight coastal showers," the squadron's forecast said.

"The primary weather concern for an attempt early Saturday morning is the Cumulus Cloud Rule associated with a stray coastal shower," the forecast said.

For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launch recap: Updates from Saturday's Falcon 9 return to flight