SpaceX will take another bite at the apple when it comes to launching its latest batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
A helium-related ground systems issue forced a Sunday scrub of the Falcon 9 rocket and then the company had to wait until after launching the CRS-31 cargo mission to the International Space Station for NASA before trying again.
Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is set for 6:51 p.m. EST (2351 UTC). If needed, SpaceX has launch opportunities that last until 7:39 p.m. EST (0039 UTC).
Spaceflight Now will have live coverage beginning about an hour prior to liftoff.
Coming into the Wednesday launch opportunity, the 45th Weather Squadron forecast just a 30 percent chance of favorable weather at liftoff. Concerns include cumulus clouds, thick clouds and liftoff winds, which are predicted to fall between 19 and 27 miles per hour.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, tail number B1085 in the SpaceX fleet, will launch for a third time. It previously supported the Crew-9 astronaut mission to the International Space Station and Starlink 10-5.
The SpaceX droneship, ‘Just Read the Instructions,’ is on tap to support this mission, stationed in the Atlantic west of the Bahamas. If all goes according to plan, this will mark the 96th booster landing for JRTI and the 362nd booster landing to date.
Assuming a successful launch, here are the latest orbital launch and landing stats:
- Total orbital launches in 2024: 205
- Orbital launches from U.S. company: 124
- Orbital launches from Florida: 76
- Total Falcon 9 launches: 390
- Falcon 9 launches in 2024: 105
- Number of booster reflights: 335
- SpaceX orbital launches from SLC-40: 214
- Total orbital launches from SLC-40: 269
- Total booster landings (globally): 363
- Landings on JRTI: 96
- Dedicated Starlink missions in 2024: 72
- Starlink satellites launched in 2024: 1,588
