Live Your Life ! The rocket company is taking a major step toward realizing its broadband satellite aspirations, flinging a hefty payload into orbit this evening.
After a scrub last week because of high upper-level winds and another delay because of software issues, SpaceX will once again try to launch its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station tonight (Thursday).
For the third attempt, SpaceX is targeting a 10:30 p.m. liftoff from Launch Complex 40. These are the things to know about the launch:
Teams are looking at a 90-minute launch window: 10:30 p.m. to midnight.
Weather forecast is 90% “go.”
In the event of a delay or scrub, the next possible launch opportunity will be Friday, May 24.
Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite broadband project and will eventually see a total of 12,000 satellites swinging around the Earth to deliver internet to basically every corner of the globe. The first 60 test satellites are currently crammed into the payload bay of a Falcon 9, waiting for departure.
The first 60 satellites will be dropped off at an altitude of approximately 270 miles (440 kilometers) above the Earth, if everything runs smoothly, and then they will gently propel themselves out to an orbit of about 340 miles (550 kilometers).
This will be the third time this particular Falcon 9 booster has ascended to space, according to SpaceX, with two previous flights coming in September 2018 and January 2019. As usual, SpaceX will try to land the booster rocket on a drone ship in the Atlantic.
Musk has tried to temper expectations of this first, historic deployment of satellites, saying that “much will likely go wrong” and these first 60 satellites are a test, providing a demonstration of Starlink’s future capabilities. Another six launches will be required before even “minor” coverage is offered.