Weekend plans? Try SpaceX's next Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral

Update, Saturday:

SpaceX is now targeting no earlier than Monday morning for liftoff due to a hardware issue with the Falcon 9 rocket. The launch would be around 10:04 a.m.

Update, Friday: 

SpaceX is now targeting 10:25 a.m. Sunday for liftoff due to poor weather conditions in the Atlantic Ocean where the rocket is scheduled to land. Weather for the attempt should be 90% "go."

Original story:

The window for SpaceX's next launch from Cape Canaveral, slated for Saturday, should embody wintertime Florida: nearly 70 degrees, a healthy breeze, and the possibility of offshore showers.

And unlike many late-night or early morning missions, the 10:47 a.m. liftoff from Launch Complex 40 is ideal for Space Coast visitors and residents to catch a glimpse of the 230-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket.

Air Force weather forecasters are anticipating 70% "go" conditions.

"For the launch window Saturday morning, a few showers will linger off the coast," the 45th Weather Squadron said Thursday. "However, with low-level winds from the northeast, there is a slight chance for cumulus clouds to move onshore during the window."

Teams have until 11:02 a.m. to launch the rocket with 60 Starlink communications satellites. If successful, this fifth flight under the Starlink banner will bring the constellation's size to 300 satellites in low-Earth orbit. SpaceX hopes to start selling broadband internet connectivity as soon as late this year.

Shortly after liftoff, the rocket's first stage will target a landing on the Of Course I Still Love You drone ship.

Spectators should note, however, that the Cape and Kennedy Space Center will be enforcing specific road closures:

• State Road 3 near KSC, including Space Commerce Way, will be closed to the public at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Access to KSC, the Visitor Complex, Exploration Park and Blue Origin will be limited to authorized personnel or those with launch viewing tickets. The roads will reopen after liftoff.

• The NASA Causeway between U.S. 1 and KSC's main gate will also be staffed by KSC police checking for proper credentials.

• The Visitor Complex will be open, but only until capacity is reached.

• State Road 406 in Titusville towards Playalinda Beach will remain open until capacity is reached or 9:30 a.m., whichever comes first. The same applies to State Road 3 north in Volusia County, which also leads to the beach.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EmreKelly. Support his space journalism by subscribing at floridatoday.com/specialoffer/.

Launch Saturday

• Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Mission: 60 Starlink satellites
• Launch Time: 10:47 a.m.
• Launch Window: 16 minutes
• Location: 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station:
• Weather: 70% "go"

Join floridatoday.com/space at 9:30 a.m. Saturday for countdown chat and updates including streaming of SpaceX's launch webcast.