SpaceX is targeting Monday, April 27 for a Falcon Heavy launch of the ViaSat-3 F3 mission to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 85-minute launch window opens at 10:21 a.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Tuesday, April 28 during an 85-minute window that opens at 10:17 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
One of the side boosters on this mission previously supported SDA-0A, SARah-2, Transporter-11, and 18 Starlink missions, and the second previously supported launch of the GOES-U mission. Following stage separation, Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zones 2 and 40 (LZ-2 and LZ-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Countdown
| Hr/Min/Sec | Event |
|---|---|
| - 00:53:00 | SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load |
| - 00:50:00 | 1st stage RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins |
| - 00:45:00 | 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins |
| - 00:35:00 | 2nd stage RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins |
| - 00:18:30 | 2nd stage LOX loading begins |
| - 00:07:00 | Falcon Heavy begins engine chill |
| - 00:00:59 | Flight computer commanded to begin final pre-launch checks |
| - 00:00:45 | SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch |
| - 00:00:20 | Propellant tanks pressurize for flight |
| - 00:00:06 | Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start |
| - 00:00:00 | Falcon Heavy liftoff |
Launch, Landing, and Deployment
All Times Approximate
| Hr/Min/Sec | Event |
|---|---|
| 00:01:09 | Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) |
| 00:02:21 | Side booster engine cutoff (BECO) |
| 00:02:25 | Side boosters separate |
| 00:02:30 | Side boosters flip |
| 00:02:41 | Side boosters boostback burn begins |
| 00:03:47 | Side boosters boostback burn ends |
| 00:03:50 | 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO) |
| 00:03:54 | 1st and 2nd stages separate |
| 00:04:01 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1) |
| 00:04:17 | Fairing separation |
| 00:06:28 | Side boosters entry burn begins |
| 00:06:44 | Side boosters entry burn ends |
| 00:07:41 | Side boosters landing burns start |
| 00:07:58 | Side boosters landing |
| 00:08:13 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1) |
| 00:26:05 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2) |
| 00:27:33 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2) |
| 04:47:47 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-3) |
| 04:48:30 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-3) |
| 04:57:31 | ViaSat-3 F3 deploys |