SpaceX is gearing up for an exciting double-header Falcon 9 launch tonight, closely monitoring the weather conditions for optimal mission success. The aerospace company, headquartered in Hawthorne, California, is set to launch its fourth large commercial geostationary communications satellite of the year from the Space Coast, along with the 44th large Starlink batch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
With three successful Falcon 9 missions already completed in the opening week of June, SpaceX had a strong start to the month following a record-breaking May with 14 and 15 launches in a single calendar month. However, the fourth mission of June faced setbacks due to severe weather delays and a rare pad abort at T-0 on June 14th. The booster for the aborted flight, B1073, had recently completed its 15th launch and is a key member of the Falcon 9 fleet.
Despite the T-0 scrub, SpaceX is gearing up for two back-to-back missions scheduled less than six hours apart on Tuesday. The first mission involves an eight-times-used booster deploying the Astra 1P payload for Luxembourg-based SES from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The second mission will see a four-times-flown booster launching from Vandenberg with a range of launch opportunities throughout the evening.
SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, with recent milestones including the first all-private space mission commanded by a woman. As the company prepares for tonight’s double-header launch, space enthusiasts around the world are eagerly anticipating another successful mission from the pioneering aerospace organization.
