UPCOMING LAUNCH

USSF-62 Mission

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, April 11 for Falcon 9’s launch of the USSF-62 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The approximate 10-minute launch window opens at 7:25 a.m. PT. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Friday, April 12 with the same launch window.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This will be the third launch of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Countdown

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 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

Infographic detailing sequence of events for USSF-62 Mission

Launch, Landing, and Deployment

All times are approximate

Hr/Min/Sec	Event
00:01:12	Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:19	1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:23	1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:30	2nd stage engine starts (SES-1)
00:02:36	1st stage boostback Burn Starts
00:03:01	Fairing deployment
00:03:30	1st stage boostback Burn Ends
00:06:07	1st stage entry burn start
00:06:25	1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:24	1st stage landing burn start
00:07:52	1st stage landing
00:08:27	2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:49:51	2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:49:56	2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:54:57	Payload deploy