L-1 weather forecast. 40% 'Go' for March 2/3. 75% 'Go' for March 3/4. 70% 'Go' for March 4/5. Ascent Corridor Weather risk is Moderate-High for March 2/3. Upper-Level Wind Shear risk is Low-Moderate for March 3/4. All other Additional Risk Criteria are Low.


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

Trying again 7:15 pm tomorrow?

Due to weather, we are standing down on today’s #Crew8 launch attempt.

Join us for our launch attempt tomorrow, March 3. We will go live at 6:45pm ET (2345 UTC) for a targeted liftoff at 10:53pm ET (0353 UTC).

NASA  (@NASA) March 3, 2024

Weather is now 85% go for launch of Crew-8

SpaceX  (@SpaceX) March 4, 2024

Such a cool image.  

Sky is almost clear. Visible stars, virtually no wind.
Barring tech, the enviro is go.

Crew-8 is go for launch! pic.twitter.com/UvhocWCObv

SpaceX  (@SpaceX) March 4, 2024

T-35 minutes until liftoff. Propellant load of Falcon 9 is underway, and Dragon’s escape system is armed

SpaceX  (@SpaceX) March 4, 2024

Crew access arm retracts from Dragon and Falcon 9 pic.twitter.com/b1YpJb0XEZ

SpaceX  (@SpaceX) March 4, 2024

Stoked on this one

Clear night , NODS , 43miles

less than 5 minutes to launch

well this will be interesting.

crack found on the door seal, but it has been reviewed and going with launch anyways. They say the seal will not be an issue and the heat from reentry will expand the seal and be ok.

here we go

30 seconds!

GO for launch

This never gets old.

Love RTLS landings.

nailed it

Not from tonight, but just as cool.  Sound is a must!

27,000 km/h. They're moving pretty good.

So cool.  

50 crewmembers launched and counting! Earlier tonight, Crew-8 signed the White Room at the end of the crew access arm ahead of boarding Dragon and liftoff pic.twitter.com/yu0EP2bW70

SpaceX  (@SpaceX) March 4, 2024

Falcon 9 boostback nebula! Humans going to space on the bottom, rockets returning to land on the top! pic.twitter.com/tn3ng2pYYt

Jerry Pike  (@JerryPikePhoto) March 4, 2024

Amazing pictures.

Mission:  Falcon 9, Transporter-10

1)  Mission description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Transporter 10 mission, a rideshare flight to a low-Earth orbit with 53 small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers. The first stage booster will return to Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) about 7.5 minutes after launch." Source

2)  Launch window:    2:05 PM PST  (4 March 2024).  

3)  Launch site:   SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

4)  Launch direction:   South-southwesterly

5)  Webcast viewing options:



6)  Observation comments:    None

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats heading out.

Go Beyond departed PoLB on Mar 2 @ 7:28pm PT / 10:28pm ET

Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

b.  Satellites:  


Credit:  SpaceX


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

c.  Ready for launch:

d.  Navigation warning:


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Drone ship OCISLY

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:      

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.

00:01:10 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:20 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:23 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:31 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:36 1st stage boostback burn begins
00:03:02 Fairing deployment
00:03:31 1st stage boostback burn ends
00:06:08 1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:20 1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:14 1st stage landing burn begins
00:07:32 1st stage landing
00:08:17 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:50:12 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:50:16 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:53:44 HAMMER deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:53:54 MH-1 deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:53:58 CONTECSAT-1 deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:54:04 PY-4 SV1 and SV2 deploy, manifested by Maverick
00:54:06 Veery Fledgling “Ectobius” deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:54:15 LEMUR 2 ROCINANTE deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:54:35 LEMUR 2 JOHNNYTRUONG deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:54:48 OrbAstro-TR-2 deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:54:59 SONATE-2 deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:55:09 PY-4 SV3 and SV4 deploy, manifested by Maverick
00:55:11 ONDOSAT-OWL-1 and ONDOSAT-OWL-2 deploy, manifested by Exolaunch
00:55:24 LEMUR 2 CHARLIE-ROSE deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:55:35 NCKU-IRIS-F1 deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:55:46 LEMUR 2 FELDHUS deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
00:56:23 NewSat-44 deploys, manifested by Satellogic
00:57:28 Lynk Tower 5 deploys, manifested by Lynk Global
00:57:59 Lynk Tower 6 deploys, manifested by Lynk Global
00:58:19 OQTech Tiger-7 deploys, manifested by SEOPS
00:58:57 Missouri S&T M3 deploys, manifested by SEOPS
01:00:08 OQTech Tiger-8 deploys, manifested by SEOPS
01:00:33 NWIC Pacific Lace-A deploys, manifested by SEOPS
01:01:07 NWIC Pacific Lace-B deploys, manifested by SEOPS
01:02:20 Quantum Space Sentry deploys, manifested by SEOPS
01:03:05 Axelspace Pyxis deploys, manifested by SEOPS
01:03:38 Fifi deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
01:04:09 Rose deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
01:04:36 Riri deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
01:06:26 YAM-6 deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
01:09:49 Loulou deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
01:10:24 Apex Aries 1 deploys, manifested by Apex Technologies
01:11:00 Optimus deploys, manifested by Space Machines
01:12:01 True Anomaly’s Jackal X-1L-002 deploys, manifested by True Anomaly
01:13:11 True Anomaly’s Jackal X-1L-001 deploys, manifested by True Anomaly
01:13:43 Quark-lite and Gluon deploy, manifested by Atomos Space
01:14:16 GHOSt-4 deploys, manifested by Maverick
01:16:36 GHOSt-5 deploys, manifested by Maverick
01:18:33 Sidus Space LizzieSat - 1 deploys, manifested by Sidus Space
01:44:26 2nd stage engine starts (SES-3)
01:44:27 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-3)
02:25:51 2nd stage engine starts (SES-4)
02:25:51 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-4)
02:28:39 BRO-12 deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
02:28:51 BRO-13 deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
02:29:05 HORACIO deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
02:29:17 RROCI-2 deploys, manifested by Maverick
02:29:40 MuSat-2 deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
02:29:53 Pony Express-2 SV2 deploys, manifested by Maverick
02:30:33 Pony Express-2 SV1 deploys, manifested by Maverick
02:31:07 1st ICEYE satellite deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
02:31:35 3rd ICEYE satellite deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
02:32:03 2nd ICEYE satellite deploys, manifested by Exolaunch
02:33:01 MethaneSAT deploys, manifested by MethaneSat

10)  Orbit destination:    Payloads will be deployed in two sun-synchronous orbits at approximately 510 x 520 km and 585 x 600 km.

Mission:   Falcon 9, Starlink 6-41

1)  Mission Description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean."    SpaceFlightNow source

2)  Launch window:   6:56 PM EST (4 March 2024).   Backup opportunities available until 10:54 p.m. ET

3)  Launch site:   SLC-40,  Florida

4)  Launch direction:  Southeast

5)  Webcast viewing option:



6)  Observation comments:    Possible good launch for jellyfish sightings if they launch close to the current 6:56 PM EST time.  Local Sunset: 6:24 PM EST.  Civil Twilight: 6:48 PM EST.

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats departing:

Doug + ASOG depart PC on Feb 29 @ 6:28pm ET

Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com


Credit:   Gav Cornwell@SpaceOffshore.  Departure! SpaceX marine assets Doug and ASOG droneship are underway from Port Canaveral to support the Starlink 6-41 mission.

b.  Satellites:  Previously provided.

c.  Ready for launch:

d.  Navigation Warning:


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Recovery on drone ship ASOG.

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:    

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:12 Max Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:25 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:28 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:35 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:03:03 Fairing deployment
00:06:07 1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:30 1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:52 1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:15 1st stage landing
00:08:39 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:53:28 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:53:29 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:04:37 Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit insertion:   275 x 283 kilometers at 43 degree inclination

These Transporter missions are so cool. Dozens of sattelites beboping and scatting across the sky.

https://www.space.com/crew-8-mission-launches-spacex-nasa-space-station

Great shots of the first stage all the way to landing!

Indeed.  We could see the cold gas thruster firings prior to the entry burn.  Next up....deploying payloads willy nilly throughout space.

Updated video link

or this

[tweet]https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1RDxllLyVXzxL[/tweet]

Second post (of a tweet) on this page

Click on the play arrow.

Boostback burns are my favorite part of many Falcon 9 launches. Yesterday's launch of Crew-8 put on a glorious display of color in the sky.

\uD83C\uDFA5 - @NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/vEx6K22xhk

D. Wise  (@dwisecinema) March 4, 2024

Sea fog rolled in. Can't see anything around here

Ft. Myers checking in...another great looking launch.

Even though it's pretty overcast I saw more of the launch trajectory than was obscured.

I did get to see what I believe was the deorbit burn of the Starlink 6-41 second stage from Colorado Springs CO.  Very easy to see naked eye even in less than dark twilight sky condition.

Three Falcon 9 launches in 20 hours, carrying to orbit:
- 4 crewmembers headed to the @Space_Station
- 53 rideshare spacecraft
- 23 @Starlink satellites pic.twitter.com/KtBlMrwLDv

SpaceX  (@SpaceX) March 5, 2024

Yep.

Tonight’s Starlink launch got fogged out at KSC, But it was clear over at the Cape and I was able to capture the Jellyfish over the clouds with one of our @NASASpaceflight Space Coast Live cameras! https://t.co/MuLjv5ppus pic.twitter.com/69hvBRDvbH

Rough Riders Show  (@RoughRidersShow) March 5, 2024

Mission:   Falcon 9, Starlink 6-43

1)  Mission Description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean."    SpaceFlightNow source

2)  Launch window:   7:05 PM EDT (10 March 2024).   Backup opportunities available until 11:03 p.m. ET

3)  Launch site:   SLC-40,  Florida

4)  Launch direction:  Southeast

5)  Webcast viewing option:



6)  Observation comments:    Sunset: 7:28 PM EDT and Civil Twilight: 7:51 PM EDT.  Enough of a launch delay (~ 40 minutes) and jellyfish sightings during launch are possible.  That amount of delay and longer opens up the chance to see what may be the deorbit burn in the US southwest and west coast states.

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats departing:


Credit:  Gav Cornwell@SpaceOffshore.  Just Read the Instructions droneship is underway from Port Canaveral to support the Starlink 6-43 mission. Tug Signet Warhorse III is towing.

Signet Warhorse III + JRTI departed PC on Mar 8 @ 12:38pm ET

Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

Bob departed PC on Mar 8 @ 7:17pm ET

Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

b.  Satellites:  Previously provided.

c.  Ready for launch:

d.  Navigation Warning:


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Recovery on drone ship JRTI.

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:    

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:10   Max Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:25   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:29   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:36   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:03:03   Fairing deployment
00:06:09   1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:32   1st stage entry burn ends
00:08:03   1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:25   1st stage landing
00:08:39   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:54:11   2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:54:13   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:05:21   Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit insertion:   275 x 283 kilometers at 43 degree inclination

Mission:  Falcon 9, Starlink 7-17

1)  Mission description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E). The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ in the Pacific Ocean." Source

2)  Launch window:    7:13 9:09 PM PDT (10 March 2024).     Backup opportunities available until 11:13 p.m. PT  

3)  Launch site:   SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

4)  Launch direction:   South-southeasterly

5)  Webcast viewing options:



6)  Observation comments:    In Los Angeles, Sunset at 6:56 PM PDT and civil Twilight at 7:21 PM PDT means possible jellyfish sightings during ascent.

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats heading out.

Lindsay C + OCISLY departed PoLB on Mar 8 @ 6:31pm PT / 9:31pm ET

Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

b.  Satellites:  Previously provided

c.  Ready for launch:

d.  Navigation warning:


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Drone ship OCISLY

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:      

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.

00:01:09   Max Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:28   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:32   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:38   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:03:08   Fairing deployment
00:06:14   1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:32   1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:52   1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:14   1st stage landing
00:08:41   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:53:00   2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:53:02   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:01:54   Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit destination:  286 kilometers perigee x 295 kilometers apogee, 53 degree inclination

If you mean the "286 x 295 kilometers" the lower number is the perigee or lowest point of the orbit (height above Earth) and the larger number is the apogee or furthest point from the Earth.

The inclination is the angle that the orbit plane makes with the equator (inclination = 0) or a exactly polar orbit/inclination of 90 degrees.

No problem.   I try to avoid using terms that are not common or used frequently in this thread.   If I can add something to minimize confusion let me know.

All systems are looking good and weather is 95% favorable for today’s first Falcon 9 launch of @Starlink satellites from Florida ? https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK

SpaceX  (@SpaceX) March 10, 2024

Great view tonight

Mission:   Falcon 9, Starlink 6-44

1)  Mission Description:  "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean."    SpaceFlightNow source

"This is the 19th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission."   That ties the record for the one that fell down on the barge last year.  (1058 and 1061 got to 19)

2)  Launch window:   8:21 PM EDT (15 March 2024).   Backup opportunities available until 10:39 p.m. ET

3)  Launch site:   SLC-39A,  Florida

4)  Launch direction:  Southeast

5)  Webcast viewing option:



6)  Observation comments:    Sunset: 7:30 PM EDT.  Civil Twilight: 7:53 PM EDT

7)  Launch preparations:

a.  Boats departing:


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

Doug + ASOG departed PC on Mar 10 @ 1:41pm ET

Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

b.  Satellites:  Previously provided.

c.  Ready for launch:


A Falcon 9 rocket stands ready to support the Starlink 6-44 launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on March 13, 2024. Image: Spaceflight Now

d.  Navigation Warning:


Source:  NASASpaceFlight.com

8)  First stage return/ocean recovery/disposal:    Recovery on drone ship ASOG.

9)  Launch to deployment events/timeline:    

Hours:Minutes:Seconds after lift-off.  Times approximate.  

00:01:12   Max Q (Moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:26   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:30   1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:36   2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:03:04   Fairing deployment
00:06:10   1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:33   1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:58   1st stage landing burn begins
00:08:26   1st stage landing
00:08:39   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:54:11   2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:54:13   2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:05:20   Starlink satellites deploy

10)  Orbit insertion:   285 x 294 kilometers at 43 degree inclination

scrubbed