Live updates: SpaceX rocket blasts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base
Update, 2:50 p.m.:
The first-stage booster has returned to Earth and landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Update, 2:42 p.m.:
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off just after 2:41 p.m., spiraling into the sky and leaving a plume of smoke in its wake as it travels into space to deliver the satellites into orbit.
Update, 2:40 p.m.:
A SpaceX representative hosting the livestream of the rocket launch said all signs are pointing toward a launch today.
She said there is only a 20% chance of negative conditions that might cancel liftoff.
Liftoff is expected in roughly one minute.
Original story:
A SpaceX rocket is expected to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday afternoon, carrying 46 of the aerospace company’s Starlink satellites into orbit.
The launch is scheduled for 2:40 p.m., with a backup opportunity on Saturday at 10:40 p.m., according to SpaceX.
The company tweeted at 2 p.m. that crews were “keeping an eye on upper-level winds” that might disrupt the launch.
An online broadcast is expected to go live about five minutes prior to liftoff. That can be watched at spacex.com/launches/sl3-3.
The launch will use the company’s Falcon 9 rocket; the first-stage booster that will be used previously launched the Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, and one other Starlink mission, according to SpaceX.
Following separation, the Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth and land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
This story was originally published August 12, 2022 at 2:20 PM.
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