NASA ordered to develop nuclear power plant for moon by 2030s
NASA is now focused on building a nuclear power plant on the moon for future lunar surface missions and to bolster national security.
Launch recap: Live updates from the Starlink 10-20 mission, which lifted off at 8:29 a.m. August 14 from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40.
Original story: In this week’s already busy launch calendar, the next rocket waiting to soar is a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket set for a tentative Thursday morning liftoff.
SpaceX plans to launch the latest batch if its Starlink satellites now no earlier than 8:29 a.m. Aug. 14 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX states it has until 10:47 a.m. if needed.
Upon lift off, the Falcon 9 rocket will travel on a northeast trajectory.
No Space Coast sonic booms will be heard — only the rocket’s rumble. Just over eight minutes after liftoff, the rocket’s booster will land on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands
Update 8:37 a.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX’s drone ship Just Read the Instructions out on the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 10th mission.
Update 8:29 a.m.: The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has left the launch pad!
SpaceX launch webcast begins
Update 8:24 a.m.: SpaceX’s launch webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) is now posted above, right below the countdown clock.
Liftoff is scheduled in less than four minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Update 8:19 a.m.: We are 10 minutes from this morning’s liftoff!
The Falcon 9 booster launching this Starlink mission is seeing its 10th mission. It previous saw three other Starlink missions, Crew-9, RRT-1, Firefly Blue Ghost Mission 1, Fram2, SXM-10, and MTG-S1.
SpaceX launch countdown timeline
Update 8:10 a.m.: Here’s a behind-the-scenes rundown of SpaceX’s countdown timeline. T-minus:
38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for propellant load.35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.16 minutes: Second-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch.1 minute: Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for launch.3 seconds: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start.0 seconds: Liftoff.SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway in Florida
Update 8:00 a.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement.
That means today’s Starlink mission is now locked in to lift off at 8:29 a.m. without any countdown delays, or else the launch must be postponed.
Update 7:56 a.m.: The past week, the crew of the Artemis II mission underwent training at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The SLS rocket continues to be stacked inside the VAB as well.
Liftoff of the Artemis II mission, which will see the crew fly around the moon, is set for no earlier than February 2026.
SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard
Update 7:50 a.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency’s launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
Liftoff is still set for 8:29 a.m.
8/14/2025 5:50 AM | We have activated our launch operations support team in preparation for the SpaceX Falcon9 launch. Window: 6:47 AM – 10:47 AM pic.twitter.com/EslRbIhG3V
— Brevard EOC (@BrevardEOC) August 14, 2025
Update 7:40 a.m.: Late August 13, it was announced by NASA Interim Administrator, Sean Duffy, that President Trump has signed an Executive Order to allow for competeition within the commercial space industry. This includes more streamlined regulations.
The commercial space industry includes big names such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, which are already on major NASA contracts −including landing NASA astronauts on the moon with the Artemis Program.
MAKE SPACE GREAT AGAIN 🇺🇸🚀@POTUS has signed an Executive Order to streamline regulations and foster a competitive commercial space industry, ensuring the United States maintains its leading role in the commercial use of space. pic.twitter.com/EIjv6op3nA
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 13, 2025
“It is imperative that we build on the far-reaching actions taken by my Administration during my first term to ensure that new space-based industries, space exploration capabilities, and cutting-edge defense systems are pioneered in America rather than by our adversaries,” the statement reads.
“Ensuring that United States operators can efficiently launch, conduct missions in space, and reenter United States airspace is critical to economic growth, national security, and accomplishing Federal space objectives.”
Update 7:29 a.m.: It’s been a busy stretch for SpaceX. This morning’s launch from Florida is the second in a row for SpaceX. At 1:05 a.m. ET/10:05 p.m. PT SpaceX launched a Starlink mission out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Update 7:14 a.m.: With another Starship test flight looming in Texas, SpaceX has unveiled the upcoming new Starship design. It is unknown at this time when the new Super Heavy booster will make its debut.
Part of the new design is improved grid fins, which work to steer the Super Heavy booster as it lands back at the launch tower. The new grid fins are 50% larger compared to the current design.
The first grid fin for the next generation Super Heavy booster. The redesigned grid fins are 50% larger and higher strength, moving from four fins to three for vehicle control while enabling the booster to descend at higher angles of attack. pic.twitter.com/Nc6bavBHD8
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 13, 2025
Update 6:59 a.m.: The 45th Weather Squadron has predicted a 90% chance of favorable conditions ahead of today’s liftoff. The launch of the Starlink 10-20 mission is set for 8:29 a.m.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.