A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch tonight in a takeoff that can be watched via webcast or possibly seen from South Florida depending on evening skies.
» RELATED: Historic SpaceX rocket launch could transform spaceflight as we know it
The launch is scheduled for 7:21 p.m. from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A. The launch window is 49 minutes.
A backup launch date of Tuesday has been set with the same launch time of 7:21 p.m.
The 45th Weather Squadron that issues forecasts for launches is giving tonight’s launch an 80 percent chance of going as scheduled.
» RELATED: Atlanta astronaut captures out-of-this-world snapshot of city
East winds building cumulous clouds and anvil clouds born of inland storms are the primary concerns.
Falcon 9 is SpaceX’s two-stage rocket. It will carry the Inmarsat 5 F4 communications satellite into orbit.
While the two-stage rocket is designed so that the first stage can land and be reused, Space.com says that won't happen with this mission because the Falcon 9 won't have enough fuel to land after carrying the satellite into space.
You can watch the launch (live this evening) via webcast below:
About the Author