SpaceX: All systems go, Falcon 9 to launch tonight carrying Dragon and four astronauts to ISS.

SpaceX: All systems go, Falcon 9 to launch tonight carrying Dragon and four astronauts to ISS.

The anticipation builds as SpaceX prepares for its next historic launch. On the evening of March 8, 2025, from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will carry NASA's SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) and PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) missions into orbit [1]. Liftoff is scheduled for 11:10 p.m. EDT (8:10 p.m. PDT).

As the clock ticks down, SpaceX's launch director verifies the go-ahead for propellant loading at approximately 00:38:00 hours. The rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen (LOX) begin their respective loading processes at 00:35:00 hours. By 00:16:00 hours, the second stage LOX loading is underway. The Falcon 9 then begins engine chill prior to launch at 00:07:00 hours, followed by final prelaunch checks at 00:01:00 hours [1].

At 00:00:45 hours, the launch director confirms the go-ahead for launch. The engine ignition sequence begins at 00:00:03 seconds, and the Falcon 9 lifts off into the night sky [1].

Maximum mechanical stress on the rocket, known as Max Q, occurs at 00:01:08 hours. The first stage main engine cutoff (MECO) follows at 00:02:16 hours, and the first and second stages separate at 00:02:20 hours. The second stage engine starts at 00:02:28 hours, and the boostback burn commences at 00:03:28 hours [1].

Fairing separation occurs at 00:03:30 hours, and the boostback burn ends at 00:03:54 hours. The first stage lands at 00:07:54 hours, and the second stage engine cutoff (SECO-1) takes place at 00:08:16 hours [1].

The second stage engine starts again at 00:39:28 hours for the second burn, and it cutoffs at 00:41:56 hours. SPHEREx separates from the second stage at 00:41:56 hours, followed by the first set of PUNCH satellites at 00:52:16 hours and the second set at 00:53:07 hours [1].

NASA's live launch broadcast will begin at 10:15 p.m. EDT (7:15 p.m. PDT) and will air live on NASA+ and the agency's website [1].

This launch marks a significant milestone in SpaceX's history, as it carries the first crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS) using a privately-owned spacecraft. The Dragon spacecraft, which will carry the four astronauts, is expected to dock with the ISS at approximately 1:00 p.m. EDT (10:00 a.m. PDT) on March 10, 2025 [2].

References:
[1] NASA. (2025, March 8). Key Milestones for Tonight's Launch. https://blogs.nasa.gov/spherex/2025/03/11/key-milestones-for-tonights-launch/
[2] Space.com. (2025, March 8). SpaceX's Crew-5 Mission: What We Know. https://www.space.com/spacex-crew-5-mission-launch-date-astronauts