SpaceX postpones Starlink launch in the midst of occupied week as weather compromises

SpaceX has deferred the most recent flight of its Starlink satellite fleet this morning (Nov. 12) because of poor weather conditions here at the launch site.

The California-based rocket developer wanted to launch 53 Starlink satellites from Florida at 7:41 a.m. EST (1241 GMT) Friday to keep growing its fleet. In any case, simply under an hour prior to takeoff, SpaceX declared on Twitter that it was remaining down in light of rainy conditions. The organization said it would rather be focusing on its backup launch date, Saturday (Nov. 13).

“Standing down from today’s launch due to weather. Forecast improves to 80% favorable for tomorrow’s launch opportunity at 7:19 a.m. EST,” SpaceX wrote on Twitter.

The mission will star a veteran Falcon 9 rocket with three trips added to its belt. Named B1062 by SpaceX, the booster was planned to make its fourth trip to space; it recently launched two different upgraded GPS III satellites for the U.S. Space Force, as well as four private residents on a three-day orbital expedition as part of the organization’s Inspiration4 mission.

The present flight would have denoted the second launch this week for SpaceX. The private spaceflight organization has had a busy week, as it returned one team of four astronauts from the International Space Station on Monday night (Nov. 8), followed by the launch of an alternate team of astronauts on Wednesday (Nov. 10).

Forecasters at the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Space Delta weather squadron initially anticipated a 60% chance of favorable weather conditions going into the present launch attempt, refering to worries about thick clouds and disturbed weather. Authorities have said that the weather on Saturday is relied upon to be significantly more favorable, with a 80% chance of good weather.

At the point when it makes headway, this Starlink mission will mark the 15th dedicated Starlink mission of 2021 and SpaceX’s 25th mission of the year.