SpaceX – Spaceflight Now

ESA’s Hera spacecraft launches on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket as Hurricane Milton takes aim at Florida

October 7, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission is a follow-on from NASA’s planetary defense mission, DART, which succeeded in changing the orbit of an asteroid around its larger neighbor. Liftoff happened at 10:52 a.m. EDT (1452 UTC).

SpaceX launches two to space station, giving Starliner astronauts a ride home in February

September 27, 2024 William Harwood

SpaceX launched a reduced two-man crew on a flight to the International Space Station Saturday, along with supplies and a pair of empty seats for two Starliner astronauts waiting to hitch a ride home in February after an unexpected eight-and-a-half-month stay in orbit.

NASA, SpaceX conduct prelaunch activities as Tropical Storm delays Crew-9 mission

September 24, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexandr Gorbunov walked through a launch day simulation as NASA and SpaceX prepared to conduct a static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket. Ignition happened at 10:05 p.m. EDT (0205 UTC).

SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base

September 24, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch came as SpaceX and NASA was also busy preparing fore the next crewed flight the International Space Station. Liftoff happened at 9:01 p.m. PDT (12:01 a.m. EDT, 0401 UTC).

Two-member SpaceX Crew-9 prepares for late week Dragon launch

September 23, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexandr Gorbunov arrived in Florida on Saturday afternoon ahead of their final launch preparations. A flight readiness review occurred on Monday, Sept. 23.

SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base

September 20, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 9-17 mission featured the 350th booster landing to date. Liftoff happened at 6:50 a.m. PDT (9:50 a.m. EDT, 1350 UTC).

SpaceX launches European Commission’s Galileo satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

September 17, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

This was the second out of two planned launches of these spacecraft using a Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 6:50 p.m. EDT (2250 UTC).

SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from West Coast

September 12, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch comes as the commercial astronaut mission, Polaris Dawn, is preparing for an on-orbit demonstration of the satellite internet service. Liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 6:45 p.m. PDT (9:45 p.m. EDT, 0145 UTC).

SpaceX launches five BlueBird satellites on Falcon 9 flight from Cape Canaveral

September 12, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

This was the first of the company’s first five commercial satellites for the BlueBird constellation. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station occurred at 4:52 a.m. EDT (0852 UTC).

Polaris Dawn crew gears up for Thursday spacewalk

September 12, 2024 William Harwood

Billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX crew trainer Sarah Gillis prepared to open the forward hatch of their Polaris Dawn spacecraft early Thursday to take turns floating outside in the first non-government spacewalk in the history of space exploration. Depressurizing the spacecraft will begin around 2:23 a.m. EDT (0623 UTC) and a scaffold-like “Skywalker” assembly extending just above the hatch will be used for stability.