SpaceX Falcon Heavy’s launch of the USSF-52 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A)

SpaceX is targeting Monday, December 11 at 8:14 p.m. ET for Falcon Heavy’s launch of the USSF-52 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A backup launch opportunity is available during the same time on Tuesday, December 12.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This will be the fifth launch and landing of these Falcon Heavy side boosters, which previously supported USSF-44, USSF-67, Hughes JUPTER 3, and NASA’s Psyche mission. Following booster separation, Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 (LZ-1 and LZ-2) 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
Infographic detailing sequence of events for USSF-52 Mission
LAUNCH AND LANDING
All Times Approximate

HR/MIN/SEC EVENT
00:01:11 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:24 Side boosters engine cutoff (BECO)
00:02:28 Side boosters separate
00:02:43 Side boosters' boostback burns begin
00:03:52 Side boosters' boostback burns end
00:03:54 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:03:57 Center core 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:04:03 2nd stage engine starts (SES)
00:04:28 Fairing deployment
00:06:46 Side boosters’ entry burns start
00:07:03 Side boosters’ entry burns end
00:08:06 Side boosters’ landing burns start
00:08:24 Side boosters’ landing