NASA-SpaceX launch recap: ISS resupply mission Thursday from Cape Canaveral in Florida

Launch recap:  Scroll down to review live coverage of the Thursday, March 21, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on NASA's CRS-30 resupply mission from Cape Canaveral.

Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team live coverage of this afternoon's NASA-SpaceX CRS-30 resupply mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

NASA and SpaceX are targeting 4:55 p.m. EDT to launch an uncrewed Dragon capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket to deliver 8,200 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station.

The Falcon 9 will lift off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Expect local sonic booms: After ascending along a northeasterly trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing back at the military installation.

The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron announced the odds are 90% for "go for launch" meteorological conditions.

Then on Friday night — though SpaceX has not publicly confirmed this mission's existence — Federal Aviation Administration and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational warnings show a launch window for the Starlink 6-42 mission will open from 7:55 p.m. Friday to 12:26 a.m. Saturday.

That Falcon 9 will launch a batch of satellites from pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. However, the 45th Weather Squadron only predicts a 25% chance of favorable weather for that Friday mission, citing gusty winds, showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Countdown Timer

SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully separates

Update 5:09 p.m.: SpaceX officials just announced the Dragon cargo capsule has separated from the Falcon 9.

Boom! SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands

Update 5:03 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just generated twin sonic booms and landed back at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, completing its sixth mission.

Liftoff!

Update 4:55 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon cargo capsule from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Liftoff scheduled in five minutes

Update 4:50 p.m.: The NASA-SpaceX countdown continues ticking down toward a 4:55 p.m. launch.

SpaceX booster to return to Cape

Update 4:45 p.m.: Today's mission marks the sixth flight for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported.

The booster previously launched Ax-2, ESA Euclid, Ax-3 and two Starlink missions, SpaceX reported.

Following stage separation, crews expect the booster to return to SpaceX's Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station 7 minutes, 50 seconds after liftoff.

SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 4:35 p.m.: NASA's launch webcast is now posted above, right below the countdown clock.

Liftoff is scheduled in 20 minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX: Weather still 90% 'go for launch'

Update 4:28 p.m.: SpaceX officials have announced that weather conditions remain 90% favorable for liftoff.

SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway

Update 4:20 p.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement.

That means tonight’s Starlink mission is now committed to lift off at 4:55 p.m. without any countdown delays, or else the launch must be postponed.

SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard

Update 4:03 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.

NASA video highlights CRS-30 science

Update 3:44 p.m.: This NASA video highlights some of the scientific instrumentation — featuring topics such as sea ice monitoring, 3D mapping and nanoparticle solar cell creation — that will launch aboard the 30th SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the ISS.

Cape Canaveral seeing bright sunshine

Update 3:12 p.m.: Brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies are marking a beautiful afternoon here at the KSC Press Site.

From the 45th Weather Squadron forecast, which was released Wednesday: "Primary concerns for a Thursday afternoon launch will be for the Thick Cloud Layers Rule and Cumulus Cloud Rule." Neither weather risk appears applicable today.

For the latest news 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 (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA-SpaceX launch recap: ISS resupply mission Thursday from Cape