October 2024 – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

October 30, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The second Falcon 9 launch of the day was the 71st dedicated Starlink mission of 2024. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 5:10 p.m. EDT (2110 UTC).

China taikonaut trio arrives at the Tiangong space station

October 29, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch features two crew members who are making their first trip to space. Liftoff happened at 4:27 a.m. BJT on Oct. 30 (4:27 p.m. EDT, 2027 UTC on Oct. 29).

SpaceX closes in on Direct to Cell Starlink constellation completion

October 28, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch added another 13 satellites featuring Direct to Cell capabilities to SpaceX’s growing constellation. Liftoff happened at 5:07 a.m. PDT (8:07 a.m. EDT, 1207 UTC)

SpaceX launches Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

October 26, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 5:47 p.m. EDT (2147 UTC) on Saturday, Oct. 26, breaking the record for the most number of launches from Florida’s Space Coast in a calendar year.

One astronaut hospitalized in Pensacola after splashdown; crewmates flown back to Houston

October 25, 2024 William Harwood

The astronaut “is in stable condition under observation as a precautionary measure,” NASA said in a statement 10 hours after the Crew Dragon’s landing. “To protect the crew member’s medical privacy, specific details on the individual’s condition or identity will not be shared.”

Live coverage: Crew-8 splashdown off the coast of Pensacola, Florida

October 25, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Splashdown occurred at 3:29 a.m. EDT (0729 UTC). In an unusual post-splashdown statement NASA said that all four crew members were transported “to a local medical facility for additional evaluation,” but didn’t provide any additional information.

SpaceX launches 4th batch of Starshield satellites for the NRO on its 100th Falcon 9 rocket of 2024

October 24, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The NROL-167 mission is the fourth launch to add satellites to the National Reconnaissance Office’s so-called “proliferated architecture” constellation. Liftoff happened at 10:13 a.m. PDT (1:13 p.m. EDT, 1713 UTC).

As it happened: NASA, SpaceX undocked Crew-8 from the International Space Station following weeks of weather-related delays, scheduling conflicts

October 23, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The Crew Dragon Endeavour was originally set to undock from the International Space Station back in September, but was stalled by a pair of hurricanes and other weather events. Undocking happened 5:05 p.m. EDT (2105 UTC) on Oct. 23, setting up splashdown at 3:23 a.m. EDT (0725 UTC) on Friday.

ULA begins stacking Vulcan rocket in anticipation of first national security mission

October 23, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The USSF-106 mission will be the first launch of the Vulcan rocket once it receives certification to support missions on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense. A launch date has not yet been announced for the third Vulcan flight.

SpaceX launches Starlink mission following scrub due to poor booster recovery weather

October 21, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will bring the total number of orbital launches from Florida in 2024 to 72, tying the total for 2023. Liftoff happened on Wednesday at 5:47 p.m. EDT (2147 UTC) from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.