Planetary Society logo
  • “Exploration is in our nature.” - Carl Sagan

Jason Davis • Jun 24, 2019

LightSail 2 is Ready for Launch

Greetings from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, where The Planetary Society is onsite for tonight’s launch of LightSail 2! This afternoon we got an up-close look at the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket that will carry 24 spacecraft to orbit as part of the U.S. Air Force’s STP-2 mission. Liftoff is set for 23:30 EDT (03:30 UTC), the start of a 4-hour launch window. If for some reason the launch is scrubbed, an identical window is available tomorrow.

LightSail 2 artist concept with Earth behind

LightSail, a Planetary Society solar sail spacecraft

LightSail is a citizen-funded project from The Planetary Society to send a small spacecraft, propelled solely by sunlight, to Earth orbit.

The rocket’s two side boosters still bear their scorch marks from April’s Arabsat-6A mission, during which both boosters successfully flew back to Cape Canaveral for upright landings. The center core is pearly white, having never flown.

You can watch tonight’s launch live on our homepage at planetary.org. SpaceX typically starts their web broadcast about 20 minutes prior to liftoff. For more information, see our LightSail 2 mission page and our What to Expect When LightSail 2 Launches into Space article.

Go Falcon Heavy! Go Prox-1! Go LightSail 2! 

STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, hangar view
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, hangar view SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying LightSail 2 and 23 other spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force's STP-2 mission, stands ready for launch on 24 June 2019.Image: The Planetary Society
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, front view
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, front view SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying LightSail 2 and 23 other spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force's STP-2 mission, stands ready for launch on 24 June 2019.Image: The Planetary Society
Team LightSail 2 visits the Falcon Heavy
Team LightSail 2 visits the Falcon Heavy SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying LightSail 2 and 23 other spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force's STP-2 mission, stands ready for launch on 24 June 2019.Image: The Planetary Society
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, from SpaceX hangar
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, from SpaceX hangar SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying LightSail 2 and 23 other spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force's STP-2 mission, stands ready for launch on 24 June 2019.Image: The Planetary Society
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, payload closeup
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, payload closeup SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying LightSail 2 and 23 other spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force's STP-2 mission, stands ready for launch on 24 June 2019.Image: The Planetary Society
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, side view
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, side view SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying LightSail 2 and 23 other spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force's STP-2 mission, stands ready for launch on 24 June 2019.Image: The Planetary Society
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, from the KSC "gator hole"
STP-2 with LightSail 2 on the pad, from the KSC "gator hole" SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying LightSail 2 and 23 other spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force's STP-2 mission, stands ready for launch on 24 June 2019.Image: The Planetary Society
STP-2 with LightSail 2 from inside the perimeter fence
STP-2 with LightSail 2 from inside the perimeter fence SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying LightSail 2 and 23 other spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force's STP-2 mission, stands ready for launch on 24 June 2019.Image: The Planetary Society

Take action for space exploration!

Give today to have your gift matched up to $75,000.

Donate