SpaceX Rocket Launch From Florida Of NASA's PACE Satellite
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| SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying NASA's PACE satellite on Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Credit: SpaceX |
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – The launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying NASA's PACE satellite is now targeted to liftoff at 1:33 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The launch was scrubbed on Tuesday and Wednesday due to high winds in Landing Zone 1.
Launch Weather 95% ‘GO’
According to the latest forecast from the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron, there is a 95% chance of favorable weather for launch.
The primary weather concern is cumulus clouds.
Watch SpaceX Rocket Launch Live
A live webcast of NASA's PACE mission will begin about 45 minutes prior to liftoff on NASA's YouTube channel.
Ground Landing
Following stage separation, the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station that will create a sonic boom.
NASA PACE Payload
NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) sateillite will use three instruments called the Ocean Color Instrument, Spectro-polarimeter for Planetary Exploration, and the Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter No.2 to collect data on clouds, aerosols, and phytoplankton growth that can determine ocean color.
Measuring the color and amount of light will help scientists better understand the types and locations of microscopic algae, which are vital to the health of Earth’s oceans and its marine life.
Less than two hours until Falcon 9’s launch of @NASA’s PACE mission from pad 40 in Florida. All systems are looking good and weather is 95% favorable for liftoff pic.twitter.com/zkH0X2JTdH
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 8, 2024
