SpaceXLaunch SuccessfulHeliophysics

TRACERS

Name: Falcon 9 Block 5 | TRACERS
Start: 2025-07-23T18:13:00Z
Location: Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Falcon 9 Block 5

Launched Wed, Jul 23 · 6:13 PM UTC2025-07-23 18:13 UTCSpace Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Sun-Synchronous Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+8:02 and released the payload at T+54:30.

Landed

B1081 Landed

The first stage landed at Landing Zone 4, on its 16th flight.

Worldwide

158th

orbital launch attempt in 2025

SpaceX

93rd

launch this year

Space Launch Complex 4E

31st

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

4 d 14 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX - Falcon 9 - TRACERS & Others - SLC-4E - Vandenberg SFB - July 23, 2025

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 6:13 PM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown9

T−38:005:35 PMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:005:38 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:005:38 PMStart of propelland loading
T−16:005:57 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:006:06 PMStart of engine chilling
T−1:006:12 PMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−1:006:12 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:456:12 PMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:036:12 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (9 steps)

T−38:005:35 PMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:005:38 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:005:38 PMStart of propelland loading
T−16:005:57 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:006:06 PMStart of engine chilling
T−1:006:12 PMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−1:006:12 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:456:12 PMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:036:12 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent6

T+0:006:13 PMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:126:14 PMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:136:15 PMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:176:15 PMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:246:15 PMFirst start of the second engine
T+2:566:15 PMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return7

T+2:216:15 PMFlip maneuver of the first stage
T+2:306:15 PMStart of the booster boostback burn
T+3:266:16 PMEnd of the booster boostback burn
T+6:046:19 PMStart of the atmospheric entry burn
T+6:216:19 PMEnd of the atmospheric entry burn
T+7:126:20 PMStart of the first stage landing burn
T+7:466:20 PMLanding of the first stage

Second Stage and Payload14

T+8:026:21 PMFirst cut-off of the second engine
T+50:447:03 PMSecond start of the second engine
T+50:477:03 PMSecond cut-off of the second engine
T+54:307:07 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+54:507:07 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:05:407:18 PMThird start of the second engine
T+1:05:417:18 PMThird cut-off of the second engine
T+1:30:077:43 PMFourth start of the second engine
T+1:30:087:43 PMFourth cut-off of the second engine
T+1:34:267:47 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:40:417:53 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:44:467:57 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:45:067:58 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:45:267:58 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket

Mission

NASA's Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) mission, consisting of two identical satellites that will orbit Earth in tandem (one following the other), will help understand magnetic re-connection and its effects in Earth’s atmosphere. Magnetic re-connection occurs when activity from the Sun interacts with Earth’s magnetic field. By understanding this process, scientists will be able to better understand and prepare for impacts of solar activity on Earth.

Hitchhiking small satellites:

* Athena EPIC (Economical Payload Integration Cost) * Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) * Relativistic Electron Atmospheric Loss (REAL)

Launch Provider

SpaceX

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2002 · CEO Elon Musk

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX operates from many pads, on the East Coast of the US they operate from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. They also operate from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is being developed at Boca Chica, Texas.

Launches

742

Successful

727

98%

Landings

687

of 715

Upcoming

136

scheduled

FliesFalcon Starship Dragon

All SpaceX launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Jul 23 · 11:36 PM
Launch success
SwGustav
Jul 23 · 7:58 PM
All payloads deployed
SwGustav
Jul 23 · 6:13 PM
Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Jul 23 · 6:13 PM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 23 · 5:56 PM
Official Webcast by SpaceX has started
Launch Library 2

Show earlier updates

Jul 22 · 6:41 PM
Go for launch.
juststephen
Jul 22 · 6:14 PM
Scrubbed, next attempt TBC.
juststephen
Jul 22 · 5:51 PM
Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Jul 22 · 12:49 AM
Updated launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 19 · 1:59 AM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 14 · 10:48 PM
NET July 22.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 11 · 12:58 AM
NET Late July.
Cosmic_Penguin
May 2 · 2:46 PM
NET summer.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 29 · 2:55 AM
NET Spring 2025.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 2 · 3:49 PM
Changed launch site.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 18 · 2:08 AM
NET May 11.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jan 31 · 3:00 AM
Added launch (previously thought to be launching on a Transporter mission but appears to be now flying separately as primary payload of its ride-share - see https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=62129.0).
Cosmic_Penguin

Falcon 9 Block 5

Vehicle history

Height

70m

Diameter

3.6m

To low Earth orbit

22,800kg

Liftoff thrust

7,607kN

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.

See what's in the app

Scan to open on your phone

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SpaceXLaunch SuccessfulHeliophysics

TRACERS

Falcon 9 Block 5

Launched Wed, Jul 23 · 6:13 PM UTC2025-07-23 18:13 UTCSpace Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Sun-Synchronous Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+8:02 and released the payload at T+54:30.

Landed

B1081 Landed

The first stage landed at Landing Zone 4, on its 16th flight.

Worldwide

158th

orbital launch attempt in 2025

SpaceX

93rd

launch this year

Space Launch Complex 4E

31st

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

4 d 14 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX - Falcon 9 - TRACERS & Others - SLC-4E - Vandenberg SFB - July 23, 2025

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 6:13 PM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown9

T−38:005:35 PMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:005:38 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:005:38 PMStart of propelland loading
T−16:005:57 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:006:06 PMStart of engine chilling
T−1:006:12 PMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−1:006:12 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:456:12 PMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:036:12 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (9 steps)

T−38:005:35 PMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:005:38 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:005:38 PMStart of propelland loading
T−16:005:57 PMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:006:06 PMStart of engine chilling
T−1:006:12 PMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−1:006:12 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:456:12 PMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:036:12 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent6

T+0:006:13 PMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:126:14 PMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:136:15 PMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:176:15 PMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:246:15 PMFirst start of the second engine
T+2:566:15 PMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return7

T+2:216:15 PMFlip maneuver of the first stage
T+2:306:15 PMStart of the booster boostback burn
T+3:266:16 PMEnd of the booster boostback burn
T+6:046:19 PMStart of the atmospheric entry burn
T+6:216:19 PMEnd of the atmospheric entry burn
T+7:126:20 PMStart of the first stage landing burn
T+7:466:20 PMLanding of the first stage

Second Stage and Payload14

T+8:026:21 PMFirst cut-off of the second engine
T+50:447:03 PMSecond start of the second engine
T+50:477:03 PMSecond cut-off of the second engine
T+54:307:07 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+54:507:07 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:05:407:18 PMThird start of the second engine
T+1:05:417:18 PMThird cut-off of the second engine
T+1:30:077:43 PMFourth start of the second engine
T+1:30:087:43 PMFourth cut-off of the second engine
T+1:34:267:47 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:40:417:53 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:44:467:57 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:45:067:58 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+1:45:267:58 PMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket

Mission

Hitchhiking small satellites:

* Athena EPIC (Economical Payload Integration Cost) * Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) * Relativistic Electron Atmospheric Loss (REAL)

Launch Provider

SpaceX

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2002 · CEO Elon Musk

Launches

742

Successful

727

98%

Landings

687

of 715

Upcoming

136

scheduled

FliesFalcon Starship Dragon

All SpaceX launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Jul 23 · 11:36 PM
Launch success
SwGustav
Jul 23 · 7:58 PM
All payloads deployed
SwGustav
Jul 23 · 6:13 PM
Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Jul 23 · 6:13 PM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 23 · 5:56 PM
Official Webcast by SpaceX has started
Launch Library 2

Show earlier updates

Jul 22 · 6:41 PM
Go for launch.
juststephen
Jul 22 · 6:14 PM
Scrubbed, next attempt TBC.
juststephen
Jul 22 · 5:51 PM
Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Jul 22 · 12:49 AM
Updated launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 19 · 1:59 AM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 14 · 10:48 PM
NET July 22.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 11 · 12:58 AM
NET Late July.
Cosmic_Penguin
May 2 · 2:46 PM
NET summer.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 29 · 2:55 AM
NET Spring 2025.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 2 · 3:49 PM
Changed launch site.
Cosmic_Penguin
Mar 18 · 2:08 AM
NET May 11.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jan 31 · 3:00 AM
Added launch (previously thought to be launching on a Transporter mission but appears to be now flying separately as primary payload of its ride-share - see https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=62129.0).
Cosmic_Penguin

Falcon 9 Block 5

Vehicle history

Height

70m

Diameter

3.6m

To low Earth orbit

22,800kg

Liftoff thrust

7,607kN

Next From Vandenberg SFB

Vandenberg SFB schedule

Oct30Fri

Starlink Group 15-18SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USALow Earth OrbitGo for launch4:02 AM UTC Nov2Mon

USSF-432SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USALow Earth OrbitGo for launch1:56 AM UTC

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.

See what's in the app

Scan to open on your phone

TRACERS

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return7

Second Stage and Payload14

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

TRACERS

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return7

Second Stage and Payload14

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Next From Vandenberg SFB

Next From Vandenberg SFB

TRACERS

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return7

Second Stage and Payload14

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Never Miss a Launch.

TRACERS

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return7

Second Stage and Payload14

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Next From Vandenberg SFB

Never Miss a Launch.

Next From Vandenberg SFB