SpaceX postpones Amazon Project Kuiper launch try again; crews target Saturday morning liftoff
So now, SpaceX will try again Saturday morning. Target launch time is 9 a.m. The 45-minute launch window will extend until 9:45 a.m.
SpaceX stood down from Thursday's Falcon 9 liftoff try "to perform additional vehicle checkouts." SpaceX did not publicly announce why Friday's mission got pushed back, but rain was falling across Florida's Space Coast during morning rush hour.
The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron had only predicted 40% odds of favorable launch conditions Friday, citing cumulus clouds, anvil clouds and lighting. The forecast for Saturday's launch window looks worse, with only 35% odds of "go for launch" weather.
"Looking into Saturday, deep moisture will persist across the region, with continued light onshore flow reinforcing moist low-level conditions. An additional weak upper-level disturbance will further destabilize the atmosphere," the forecast said.
"Mid-level moisture and instability are forecast to become more pronounced, enhancing the potential for convection. The combination of tropical moisture, a lingering stationary boundary nearby, and persistent onshore flow suggests Saturday will feature even less favorable weather," the forecast said.
After liftoff, the ascending Falcon 9 will deploy 24 Amazon Project Kuiper internet-beaming satellites into low-Earth orbit.
No Brevard County sonic booms should occur. Instead, after soaring skyward along a northeasterly trajectory, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out at sea about eight minutes after liftoff.
For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX now aims for Saturday morning Amazon satellite launch in Florida
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