Launch recap: Scroll down to read live updates from the liftoff of the KF-03 mission, which launched at 9:58 p.m. Oct. 13 from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Original story: After being pushed back three days in a row, SpaceX will try once again tonight to launch a batch of 24 Amazon Project Kuiper internet satellites to orbit.
SpaceX is now targeting 9:58 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13, for liftoff from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. If needed, SpaceX states opportunities to launch the mission exist until 10:22 p.m.
SpaceX did not state a reason for delays the past few days, however the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron had called for poor booster landing conditions. After traveling northeast, the Falcon 9’s booster will land upon the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship, which is stationed in the Atlantic Ocean – yet it remains to be seen if current nor’easter conditions offshore will pose a risk.
While launch conditions at the Cape are predicted to be 95% favorable, booster landing conditions are expected to be moderate risk.
The mission, known as KF-03, is the third launch of the satellites atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. United Launch Alliance previously launched three batches of the satellites as well – the last being Sept. 25 atop a Atlas V rocket.
As of the Sept. 25 launch, 129 Project Kuiper satellites are in orbit. Amazon plans for an initial constellation of 3,200 satellites to be in place within the coming years.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update 10:06 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX’s drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas out on the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 2nd mission.
SpaceX Liftoff!
Update 9:58 p.m.: SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Amazon Project Kuiper satellites from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station!
SpaceX launch in T-3 minutes
Update 9:55 p.m.: SpaceX has not yet posted live video.
Liftoff is scheduled in three minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
We are 10 minutes from tonight’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch!
Update 9:48 p.m.: T-10 minutes! Head outside if you plan on catching this launch! If you have clear skies, it will be hard to miss the bright rocket rising into the night sky.
Simply look towards the direction South of Kennedy Space Center from your direction.
SpaceX launch in Florida to bring drone ship landing
Update 9:43 p.m.: This evening’s liftoff will not bring any sonic booms to those in Brevard County, as the booster is set to land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship out in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX launch in Florida booster stats
Update 9:38 p.m.: T-20 minutes! This Falcon 9 booster is seeing its second flight with today’s liftoff. The only other mission it supported includes the KF-02 mission, which was the second launch of Amazon satellites atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway
Update 9:30 p.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement.
That means tonight’s Starlink mission is now locked in to lift off at 9:58 p.m. without any countdown delays, or else the launch must be postponed.
SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard
Update 9:22 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency’s launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
SpaceX Amazon launch from Cape Canaveral
Update 9:14 p.m.: According to Amazon, the plan for Project Kuiper is a preliminary constellation of over 3,200 of the satellites.
The satellites were launched first in April 2025 from Florida, with more than 80 launches planned across SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, Arianespace, and Blue Origin.
The project currently employs over 2,000 people, and Amazon states that number is expected to grow.
SpaceX launch from Florida
Update 9:01 p.m.: Tonight’s SpaceX liftoff from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral is still set for 9:58 p.m.
This launch marks the third time SpaceX has launched the Amazon Project Kuiper internet satellites atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
What was that light in the Florida sky? Starship visible over Florida
Update 8:24 p.m.: Did you see a light in the southwest sky this evening? It was the Starship launch from Texas.
Check out this photo from FLORIDA TODAY photographer, Craig Bailey.
SpaceX Starship launches from Texas, coasting in space
Update 7:36 p.m.: SpaceX’s Starship launched from Texas, and is now coasting in space − heading for a splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile, tonight’s liftoff from Cape Canaveral is still set for 9:58 p.m.
SpaceX rocket launch from Cape Canaveral new T-0
Update 7:05 p.m.: SpaceX has further pushed the liftoff time from Florida − now targeting 9:58 p.m. SpaceX only has until 10:22 p.m. to launch tonight.
SpaceX Starship launch in Texas
Update 6:55 p.m.: SpaceX has now pushed the timing of its Starship launch in Texas to now no earlier than 7:23 p.m. ET.
While SpaceX prepares to launch this Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the company also prepares for the 11th flight of its massive Starship.
The SpaceX team in Starbase, Texas is currently counting down for the now 7:23 p.m. ET/6:23 p.m. CT launch of Starship. The plans for this flight include successfully launching a booster for the second time – this one previously being returned to the launch tower during the eight flight back in March. However, SpaceX plans to expend the booster, as well as the ship during this flight.
Another goal for this flight is to repeat the deployment of mockup Starlink satellites from Starship while it is cruising in space. This was successfully demonstrated during the tenth flight.
SpaceX states the mockup satellites will follow the same trajectory as Starship and safely burn up during the return through the atmosphere – of course this is while Starship heads for a splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
SpaceX launch in Florida new T-0
Update 6:42 p.m.: SpaceX has pushed the liftoff time from Cape Canaveral back now to 8:34 p.m.
SpaceX launch in Florida weather
Update 6:30 p.m.: Weather at Cape Canaveral is perfect for a launch today − with the 45th Weather Squadron predicting a 95% chance of favorable conditions. Brevard County sees clear skies as the sunset, and launch, nears.
Meanwhile, SpaceX crews in Starbase, Texas are preparing to launch the 11th flight of the company’s massive Starship rocket in less than an hour.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Recap of the SpaceX launch of Amazon internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Monday night
Reporting by Brooke Edwards, Florida Today / Florida Today
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