SpaceX, ULA set up rocket launch doubleheader ahead of fourth of July holiday weekend
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Update: Liftoff of the ULA Atlas V launched Friday evening, July 1, at 7:15 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Update: Liftoff of Falcon 9 at 5:04 p.m. ET, Wednesday! After liftoff and landing on a drone ship, the rocket's second stage successfully delivered the SES-22 satellite to orbit. Read our full post-launch story here.
Decent weather conditions in the late afternoon this week could bring doubleheader launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX looks to cap off the Wednesday work day with a Falcon 9 rocket launch while United Launch Alliance hopes to wrap up Thursday with its Atlas V rocket.
First up from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Launch Complex 40 at 5:04 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 29, is a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SES-22 communications satellite to orbit for SES, a Luxembourg-based satellite operator.
Forecasters with the 45th Weather Squadron predict an 80% chance of decent weather conditions for Wednesday's launch with showers and thunderstorms remaining at bay in the late afternoons for the rest of this week.
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Wednesday's launch will be the company's 89th launch of the 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket from the LC-40 pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The SES-22 mission trajectory will send the Falcon 9 to the east with the booster destined for a return trip landing on the company's "A Shortfall of Gravitas" drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean about eight minutes after liftoff.
Launch and recovery weather conditions remain favorable for a backup opportunity on Thursday, June 30, but drop slightly to 60% "go" because of some clouds possible in the area.
Following up SpaceX's launch, United Launch Alliance should be able to launch its powerful Atlas V rocket between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 30 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The rocket features four solid rocket boosters which will create a fantastic contrail visible to spectators all along the Space Coast. Inside the nosecone are several payloads including a national security satellite for the U.S. Space Force.
Weather conditions for a Thursday launch look to be a bit breezy and drizzly in the morning but clear by late evening. Space Force forecasters predict a 60% chance of "go" conditions for a launch attempt on Thursday and the same for a backup opportunity on Friday around the same time.
For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Jamie Groh is a space reporter for Florida Today. You can contact her at JGroh@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AlteredJamie.
Launch Wednesday, June 29: SpaceX SES-22
- Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
- Mission: SES-22 communications satellite for SES
- Launch Time: Between 5:04 p.m. ET
- Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Trajectory: East
- Landing: Drone ship
- Weather: 80% "go"
Visit floridatoday.com/space at 3:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, June 29, for real-time updates and live video.
Launch Thursday, June 30: ULA USSF-12
- Rocket: ULA Atlas V 541 (four solid rocket boosters)
- Mission: USSF-12 national security mission for the U.S. Space Force
- Launch Time: Between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Trajectory: East
- Weather: 60% "go"
Visit floridatoday.com/space at 5 p.m. ET Thursday, June 30, for real-time updates and live video.