Photo of SpaceX’s Starlink V2 Mini satellites at the Cape Canaveral Payload Processing Facility. Credit: SpaceX Update 8:38 p.m. EDT (0038 UTC): A scrub was called in for takeoff at T-30 seconds. The launch team will spend 24 hours processing the next launch attempt. The launch window opens at 19:20 EDT (2320 UTC).
Original story:
SpaceX is preparing to launch 23 more satellites for its Starlink Internet service from Cape Canaveral on Sunday, the second Falcon 9 launch of the day. Takeoff from pad 40 is scheduled for 8:17 p.m. EDT (0017 UTC).
Earlier on Sunday, Falcon 9 lifted off 22 Starlinks from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. According to the launch, the number of Starlink satellites currently in orbit has increased to 4,989, a statistic compiled by Jonathan McDowell. If all goes according to plan, SpaceX will have more than 5,000 Starlink satellites in orbit by the end of the day.
Cape Canaveral’s 45th Weather Squadron forecast Saturday that Falcon 9 has an 85 percent chance of launch. Violations of upwind restrictions and regulations related to lightning-producing cumulus clouds are of greatest concern. There was a low to moderate risk of severe weather in the recovery area near the Bahamas.
If necessary, SpaceX has five backup launch options Sunday night, the last of which is at 10:47 p.m. EDT (0247 UTC).
Spaceflight Now will bring you live coverage from the Cape approximately one hour before launch.
After liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Space Force Station Cape Canaveral, Falcon 9 will aim for a southeast trajectory and aim for an orbit inclined 43 degrees to the equator.
The first stage booster, on its eighth flight, will land the Of Course I Still Love You drone about eight and a half minutes after launch.
The booster, tail number B1077, made its first flight in 2022. in October, carrying Crew 5 to the International Space Station Dragon Endurance. He flew the GPS III F6, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28 and Intelsat G-37 missions and two Starlink delivery flights.
The 23 Starlink satellites are scheduled to be deployed into a 182 × 177-mile (293 × 285 km) orbit 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 38 seconds after launch.
Tonight’s launch will be SpaceX’s 90th orbital mission in the past 365 days, roughly every four days. Company officials said they expect to accelerate the pace of launches and 2023. perform 100 flights, and in 2024 their number will increase to 144.
