RECENT LAUNCH

SXM-8 MISSION

REWATCH

On Sunday, June 6 at 12:26 a.m. EDT, Falcon 9 launched the SXM-8 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This was the third launch and landing of this Falcon 9 first stage booster, which previously launched NASA astronauts on the Crew-1 and Crew-2 missions to the International Space Station.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, located in the Atlantic Ocean.

Countdown

All Times 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 begins
00:35:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
00:16:00 2nd stage LOX loading begins
00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins pre-launch engine chill
00:01:00 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
00:01:00 Propellant tanks pressurize for flight
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 Approximate

Hr/Min/Sec Event
00:01:12 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:33 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:36 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:44 2nd stage engine starts
00:03:23 Fairing deploy
00:06:31 1st stage entry burn begins
00:08:12 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO)
00:08:40 1st stage landing
00:26:07 2nd stage engine restarts
00:26:51 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:31:42 SXM-8 deploys