SpaceX is preparing for a Friday launch of its 34th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station, after two delays this week caused by thunderstorms and lightning risks near Cape Canaveral. The Cargo Dragon spacecraft, designated C209, is set to lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at 6:05 p.m. EDT, carrying 6,500 pounds of science equipment and supplies for astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory. This will be the first mission for the Falcon 9 booster B1096, which has previously supported NASA’s IMAP and GPS III-9 launches. Weather forecasters predict a 90% chance of acceptable conditions for launch, with drier air expected to reduce the risk of lightning near the launch pad.
The mission faced delays on Tuesday and Wednesday when a slow-moving weather front brought thick clouds and thunderstorms to central Florida. On Wednesday, the countdown paused at T-28 seconds as lightning-triggering anvil clouds were detected near the launch site. Engineers rescheduled the mission for Friday to allow time to reload perishable cargo that had to be stored on the ground. SpaceX officials said the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft have completed all required checks and are ready for launch.
The Falcon 9 will take off from SLC-40 on a northeasterly trajectory, aiming to rendezvous with the space station less than eight minutes after liftoff. The first stage booster will return to Landing Zone 40, adjacent to the launch pad, marking the fourth recovery at that site and the 108th onshore landing for SpaceX since 2015. The mission is part of NASA’s CRS contract, which has relied on SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for resupply flights since 2012.
Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage starting one hour before the scheduled launch. If successful, the mission will deliver experiments related to microgravity research, astronaut health, and technology demonstrations to the space station. The Dragon spacecraft is expected to remain docked for about a month before returning to Earth with used equipment and scientific samples.