Forecast fine for Falcon Heavy launch from Kennedy Space Center
James DeanAfter a day's delay due to stormy weather, the forecast looks favorable for a Wednesday evening blastoff from Kennedy Space Center by the world's most powerful rocket, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.
Liftoff from pad 39A is targeted for 6:35 p.m., at the opening of a nearly two-hour launch window.
There's an 80 percent chance of conditions meeting launch rules, with lingering cumulus clouds from the storm front posing a small concern, according to the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron.
Should the mission need one more day, the odds get even better with Thursday being 90 percent "go."
Why watch:5 reasons to watch SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launch
Parking at Port:Port Canaveral initiates special parking, traffic rules for SpaceX launch
Big crowds and heavy traffic are expected for the second flight by SpaceX's heavy-lift rocket.
"Please expect delays and plan accordingly," NASA said in an advisory about road restrictions and closures.
Launch fans aren't just eager to witness the more than 5 million pounds of thrust generated by the rocket's 27 Merlin main engines powering a first stage composed of three new Falcon boosters.
Where to avoid:Falcon Heavy: Roadways to avoid during next week's launch
Less than eight minutes after liftoff, the two side boosters will fly back to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to attempt side-by-side landings on legs, unleashing thunderous sonic booms.
More rockets:Launch schedule: Upcoming Florida rocket launches and landings
That's a trick tried only once before, successfully, during the Falcon Heavy's debut launch on Feb. 6, 2018. The demonstration mission made headlines around the globe for sending SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster and its "Starman" chauffeur on an orbit reaching as far as Mars.
Test fire:SpaceX test fires Falcon Heavy at KSC, paving the way for launch next week
The rocket's center booster will attempt to touch down on a ship stationed hundreds of miles down range in the Atlantic Ocean, something that was not pulled off last year.
Wednesday's payload isn't quite as creative as a sports car, but is more important because it belongs to a paying customer: Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat.
What's next:One year ago, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy stirred the world. Here's what's next for the rocket.
The hefty Arabsat 6A communications satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, weighs in at more than 14,200 pounds and is bound for an orbit high over the equator, a mission that required a more powerful rocket than SpaceX's standard Falcon 9.
Spotlight:SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket is gearing up to take over the Space Coast a second time
SpaceX advertises Falcon Heavy launches for $90 million. That's reportedly less than a ride on Europe's Ariane 5 rocket, which launched a sister satellite to Arabsat 6A in February, and a fraction as much as United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy. A third Falcon Heavy mission is planned as soon as June for the U.S. Air Force.
Contact Dean at 321-917-4534 or jdean@floridatoday.com. And follow on Twitter at @flatoday_jdean and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FlameTrench.
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Launch Wednesday
Rocket: SpaceX Falcon Heavy
Mission: Arabsat 6A communications satellite
Launch Time: 6:35 p.m. ET
Launch Window: To 8:32 p.m. ET
Launch Complex: 39A at Kennedy Space Center
Landings: Two side boosters at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station; core booster on Of Course I Still Love You drone ship
Weather: 80 percent "go"
Join floridatoday.com/space for countdown updates and chat starting at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, including streaming of SpaceX’s launch webcast about 20 minutes before liftoff.