Weather conditions could be problematic for SpaceX’s next launch on Friday, a Falcon 9 mission slated to take 60 Starlink communications satellites to orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Forecasters with the Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron are anticipating 40% “go” conditions for the 10:14 p.m. launch. Liftoff winds, cumulus clouds, and generally disturbed weather are the primary concerns.
If teams need extra time Friday night, SpaceX has until 10:35 p.m. to launch the 230-foot-tall rocket.
“Scattered showers and isolated storms are possible late Friday afternoon into the overnight hours, including around launch window,” forecasters said Tuesday. "A more solid line of activity may potentially accompany the actual frontal passage late Friday night."
If the launch delays to Saturday, weather looks significantly better: 90% “go,” according to forecasters.
Packed into the rocket’s nose cone are 60 Starlink satellites, which are part of SpaceX’s efforts to deliver internet connectivity to the ground from low-Earth orbit. The constellation is still in the testing and development phases, but after this mission, it will officially have 180 satellites on orbit.
With just one more launch of 60 satellites, SpaceX will eclipse Planet Labs to become the No. 1 satellite operator by volume. Beyond that, the company is expected to launch several more Starlink missions – meaning hundreds of satellites – this year.
Next up on the range is also SpaceX: teams are targeting no earlier than Jan. 11 for the launch of a Crew Dragon capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket, but the mission will be purposely cut short to demonstrate the vehicle's abort capabilities. After the spacecraft pushes away, the rocket is expected to break up over the Atlantic Ocean.
If successful, the in-flight abort test could pave the way for SpaceX to fly astronauts to the International Space Station sometime in the first half of 2020.
Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EmreKelly.
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January 01, 2020 at 12:04AM
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Weather looking iffy for SpaceX's next Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral - Florida Today
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