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SpaceX is targeting Thursday, March 3 for a Falcon 9 launch of 47 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 9:35 a.m. EST, or 14:35 UTC, and a backup opportunity is available on Friday, March 4 at 9:10 a.m. EST, or 14:10 UTC.
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The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched GPS III-3, Turksat-5A, Transporter 2, and seven Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
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COUNTDOWN
All times are approximate
| HR/MIN/SEC | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 00:38:00 | SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load |
| 00:35:00 | RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading underway |
| 00:35:00 | 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading underway |
| 00:16:00 | 2nd stage LOX loading underway |
| 00:07:00 | Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch |
| 00:01:00 | Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks |
| 00:01:00 | Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins |
| 00:00:45 | SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch |
| 00:00:03 | Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start |
| 00:00:00 | Falcon 9 liftoff |
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LAUNCH, LANDING, AND DEPLOYMENT
All times are approximate
| HR/MIN/SEC | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 00:01:12 | Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) |
| 00:02:31 | 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO) |
| 00:02:35 | 1st and 2nd stages separate |
| 00:02:42 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1) |
| 00:02:47 | Fairing deployment |
| 00:06:49 | 1st stage entry burn start |
| 00:07:09 | 1st stage entry burn complete |
| 00:08:25 | 1st stage landing burn start |
| 00:08:46 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1) |
| 00:08:47 | 1st stage landing burn complete |
| 00:56:45 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2) |
| 00:56:46 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2) |
| 01:05:47 | Starlink satellites deploy |
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You can watch the live launch webcast starting about 15 minutes before liftoff.
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