Scrub: SpaceX standing down from Wednesday launch, will try again Thursday
And, it's another scrub.
SpaceX called off Wednesday's launch attempt of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a European communications satellite well ahead of the planned 5:25 p.m. liftoff. The company said they are now targeting the same liftoff time on Thursday, which also has a two-hour 49-minute launch window — but the weather will continue to be a concern.
SpaceX claims weather at launch and recovery sites is the main reason for the early scrub. The Space Coast woke to a grey, cloudy morning with intermittent rainfall and gusty winds. Blue sky appeared by afternoon but the forecast called for more rain and steady winds off the Atlantic. The Space Force's Weather Squadron had predicted only a 30 percent chance of favorable conditions at liftoff time. Tuesday's planned launch attempt was scrubbed because of weather.
Due to ongoing unfavorable weather at the launch and recovery sites, now targeting Thursday, June 20 for Falcon 9’s launch of the @SES_Satellites ASTRA 1P mission from Florida. The ~3-hour window opens at 5:35 p.m. ET → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 19, 2024
The string of SpaceX scrubs means that the Space Coast is now deep into a rare launch drought. The last launch from the Cape was a Starlink launch on Friday, June 7.
When it does launch, the Astra 1P/SES-24 will liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40. The weather squadron said there is a 60 percent chance of weather not cooperating Thursday, though.
There's a backup opportunity Friday at the same time.
When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida
This communications mission jumped ahead on SpaceX calendar after the company had to stand down from its Starlink 10-2 mission, which saw back-to-back weather scrubs followed by a pre-liftoff abort last Friday. With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's GOES U satellite heading for SpaceX's other pad, Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A, SpaceX can only use Space Launch Complex 40, and therefore opted to move that troubled Falcon 9 rocket aside.
The Astra 1P/SES-24 payload is a communications satellite for an SES and Astra partnership, which are European communication organizations. The Ku-band geostationary satellite, which was developed by Thales Alenia Space, will provide satellite TV service for Germany, France and Spain. According to the SES website, Astra satellites have been providing TV and radio for Germany since 1988.
Check back for regular FLORIDA TODAY Space Team launch coverage updates.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Scrub: SpaceX scrubs launch of SES satellite from Cape Canaveral
