A Falcon 9 rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:16 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, carrying supplies to the International Space Station. The mission, known as CRS-34, is SpaceX’s 34th resupply flight for NASA. The rocket’s first stage booster will land at Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 40, creating a sonic boom over Brevard County about eight minutes after liftoff. This is the first launch from Florida since April 11, when a SpaceX Falcon 9 sent a Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL spacecraft to the ISS.
The launch window is instantaneous, meaning the rocket must lift off at exactly 7:16 p.m. Tuesday. If weather or technical issues delay the mission, SpaceX has a backup opportunity at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, May 13. The spacecraft will deliver cargo, including scientific experiments and supplies, to astronauts currently aboard the ISS. SpaceX’s contract with NASA includes 20 resupply missions through 2025, with Northrop Grumman handling the remaining flights via its Cygnus spacecraft.
Residents of Brevard County should expect the sonic boom from the booster’s landing, which will occur near the launch site. The boom is expected to be loudest in areas closest to the landing zone but may be heard across the county. SpaceX has not announced plans for any additional launches this week, though the company frequently schedules missions from the Space Coast. The Florida Today Space Team will provide live updates 90 minutes before liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.
This mission continues SpaceX’s role in sustaining the ISS, which has been a key part of the company’s operations since 2012. The CRS-34 flight follows a successful April launch and underscores the ongoing collaboration between SpaceX and NASA. The company’s ability to reuse rocket boosters has reduced costs for resupply missions, a factor that has made SpaceX a preferred contractor for NASA’s cargo needs.