It's Launch Day (Take 2)! SpaceX targets 9:02 p.m. liftoff tonight for Starlink mission
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Note: Liftoff was originally planned for 7:04 p.m. ET, but SpaceX has opted to fly during a second instantaneous window at 9:02 p.m. ET. Follow along here for live launch updates.
It's Launch Day (Take 2)!
Here's what you need to know for today's SpaceX Starlink launch from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A:
• Liftoff is set for 9:02 p.m. The window will remain open for two hours
• Weather forecast is 90% "go" at the launch pad.
• Upper-level winds after liftoff and at-sea conditions that could disrupt SpaceX's chances at recovering the booster on a drone ship were deemed "low-risk".
• This is the second attempt to launch these 49 Starlink satellites. Weather delayed Monday's planne
• The launch is SpaceX's third launch of the year and the 35th for SpaceX's Starlink constellation. Read about the launch of the 34th batch of satellites earlier this month here.
• The company has launched around 2,000 of the satellites, but fewer than that – about 1,800 – are currently operational.
• SpaceX said its Starlink customer count was 145,000 worldwide, a significant leap from the 100,000 it had in August of last year but only a gain of 5,000 customers since November.
• SpaceX also told the Federal Communications Commission that supply chain issues had caused a global chip shortage and thus causing a delayed rollout to consumers.
• The internet service costs $99 a month after $499 in one-time equipment fees.
• Full coverage of the launch kicks off about 5:30 p.m today at floridatoday.com/space and will feature in-depth coverage. Ask our space team reporter Emre Kelly questions and strike up a conversation. We will also be hosting a live webcast of the launch.
Rob Landers is a veteran multimedia journalist for the USA Today Network of Florida. Contact Landers at 321-242-3627 or rlanders@gannett.com. Twitter: @ByRobLanders
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Launch Day SpaceX Starlink Kennedy Space Center mission launch Take 2
