SpaceX conducts Falcon 9 test fire ahead of Thursday launch and landing

Update:

SpaceX successfully conducted a pre-flight check of the Falcon 9's systems known as a "static test fire" at noon on Sunday.

The launch is still targeted for 5:55 p.m. Thursday.

Original story:

The Space Coast can expect the roar of a Falcon 9 rocket launch and the sonic boom of a first stage landing on Thursday when SpaceX embarks on a mission to the International Space Station.

A Dragon spacecraft loaded with nearly 6,000 pounds of supplies, science experiments and equipment is scheduled to launch atop the Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A during an instantaneous launch window at 5:55 p.m.

A first stage landing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Landing Zone 1 is expected less than 10 minutes after liftoff.

SpaceX will target 5:07 p.m. Saturday in the event of a launch delay.

[SpaceX Falcon 9 delivers Inmarsat satellite to orbit]

[Schedule of upcoming Florida rocket launches]

The mission labeled Commercial Resupply Services 11, or CRS-11, will deliver experiments to study roll-out solar panels, neutron stars, osteoporosis, microgravity's effects on cardiovascular health, Earth-observation tools and more.

A pre-launch check of the nine Merlin main engines known as a "static test fire" is expected on the afternoon of Sunday, May 28.

This will be the 100th launch from the historic pad 39A, which previously hosted space shuttle and Apollo launches, including the first mission to the moon.

Crew members are expected to capture the Dragon spacecraft via the station's robotic arm at 10 a.m. Sunday. On station are Thomas Pesquet, Oleg Novitsky, Peggy Whitson, Jack Fischer and Fyodor Yurchikhin.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook at @EmreKelly.