Brenda Argueta, Digital Journalist
Published: January 18, 2022, 7:47 AM
Updated: January 18, 2022, 9:34 PM
Tags: SpaceX, Space, Space News
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Published: January 18, 2022, 7:47 AM Updated: January 18, 2022, 9:34 PM
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – SpaceX launched another batch of Starlink internet satellites Tuesday night after weather conditions forced it to be delayed the previous day.
The launch Falcon 9 launch of 49 satellites from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center went off at 9:02 p.m. Tuesday.
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The launch was originally scheduled for 7:26 p.m. Monday, but Space Force forecasters said earlier that weather conditions downrange in the Atlantic Ocean could be problematic.
When it came to the area around pad 39A for the 7:26 p.m. liftoff time with Starlink internet satellites on Monday, conditions were 70% "go" with low-level winds cited as the main concern. But not factored into the "percent go" are "moderate risk" chances for strong upper-level winds after liftoff and at-sea conditions that could disrupt SpaceX's chances at recovering the booster on a drone ship.
"On Tuesday, high pressure will settle overhead making for a chilly morning, but excellent launch weather conditions," forecasters said.
With more favorable weather conditions for liftoff and booster recovery, now targeting Tuesday, January 18 at 7:04 p.m. ET for Falcon 9's launch of Starlink satellites → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 17, 2022
SpaceX completed its 35th launch to date for Starlink, a space-based internet service provider quickly approaching 2,000 satellites in size. SpaceX eventually hopes to have tens of thousands flying in low-Earth orbit, which will have to constantly be replaced as hardware is upgraded and the upper atmosphere drags on the satellites, slowly pulling them down.
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Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She graduated from UCF and returned to Central Florida after working in Colorado.