Live updates from Thursday's launch of SiriusXM SXM-9

Summary at the start: Scroll down to watch live updates from the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to the Starlink SiriusXM SXM-9 mission on Thursday, December 5.

Original story: It’s launch day for a SpaceX rocket designed to carry a SiriusXM geostationary communications satellite into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center!

Welcome to the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team’s live coverage of today’s SXM-9 mission. SpaceX is targeting launch of the Falcon 9 rocket from launch pad 39A at 11:10 a.m. EST in a due east trajectory.

The Falcon 9 will deploy the SXM-9 satellite, manufactured by Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, California.

“SXM-9 features a large, mesh-shaped, roll-up reflector nearly 10 meters in diameter, allowing SiriusXM programs to reach its radios, including those in moving vehicles,” according to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor website Complex.

There should be no sonic booms in Central Florida. Rather, the rocket’s first launch vehicle is aimed at landing aboard SpaceX’s Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of miles off the coast.

Expect immaculate launch weather. The Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron estimated the probability of conditions for launch to be greater than 95%, with no primary meteorological concerns.

Rocket photography:FLORIDA TODAY’s 2025 space launch calendar is here

SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle lands

Update 11:18 a.m.: The Falcon 9 first stage booster just landed in the Atlantic Ocean aboard SpaceX’s Just Read the Instructions drone ship, completing its 19th mission.

SpaceX reported that this was the 100th time a first stage booster has landed on Just Read the Instructions. The landing also marked the company’s 380th overall successful booster recovery.

Lift up!

Update 11:10 a.m.: Lift up! SpaceX just launched the Falcon 9 carrying SiriusXM’s SXM-9 satellite from Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX booster to land on drone ship

Update 11:05 a.m.: This morning’s mission marks the 19th flight of the Falcon 9 first stage, SpaceX reported.

The booster previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Instelsat IS-40e, O3B mPOWER, Ovzon 3, Eutelsat 36D, Turksat 6A, Maxar 2 and 10 Starlink missions.

After stage separation, crews expect the launch vehicle to land on the SpaceX Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes and 21 seconds after liftoff.

The SpaceX launch webcast begins

Update 11 a.m.: SpaceX’s launch webcast is now posted above, just below our countdown clock.

The start is planned in 10 minutes from KSC.

Countdown to the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch

Update 10:47 a.m.: Here’s a look at the behind-the-scenes countdown timeline of SpaceX’s upcoming SXM-9. T-minus:

16 minutes: Loading with liquid oxygen of the second stage begins.
7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch.
1 minute: The command flight computer begins final checks before takeoff; Pressurization of the fuel tank to flight pressure begins.
45 seconds: SpaceX launch director confirms launch is possible.
3 seconds: The engine control commands the start of the engine ignition sequence.
0 seconds: Lift up.

The refueling of the SpaceX Falcon 9 is underway

Update 10:41 a.m.: SpaceX just announced that Falcon 9 refueling is underway at Launch Pad 39A and “the weather looks good for launch.”

This means that the countdown for the SiriusXM mission is now set and the launch can occur at 11:10 a.m. without delays, otherwise today’s launch will have to be postponed.

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