Recent Launch

GPS III Space Vehicle 03 Mission

REPLAY

On Tuesday, June 30th at 4:10 p.m. ET, 20:10 UTC, SpaceX's Falcon 9 successfully lifted off, carrying the Space Force's GPS III Space Vehicle 03 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Following stage separation, SpaceX landed Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The spacecraft deployed approximately 1 hour and 29 minutes after liftoff. You can watch a replay of the launch webcast by clicking the replay button above.

FLIP MANEUVERVERTICAL LANDINGENTRY BURNAERODYNAMIC GUIDANCEAUTONOMOUS DRONE SHIPASCENTFAIRING SEPARATIONLAUNCHPAYLOAD SEPARATION
FLIP MANEUVERENTRY BURNAUTONOMOUS DRONE SHIP LANDINGFAIRING SEPARATIONPAYLOAD SEPARATIONASCENTLAUNCH

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

Launch, Landing and Deployment

All Times Are Approximate

Hr/Min/Sec Event
00:01:11 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)
00:03:28 Fairing deployment
00:06:45 1st stage entry burn complete
00:08:07 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:08:30 1st stage landing
01:03:28 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
01:04:13 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
01:29:14 GPS III Space Vehicle 03 deployment