Write this article in 100% human tune, and must be 80% grammatically correct with simple English: Poor weather proved insurmountable for the third time for SpaceX this week. After its first two attempts to launch a Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral supporting NASA’s PACE mission were scuttled, on Tuesday evening, SpaceX had to stand down from launching a batch of Starlink satellites from California.
Launch teams for the Starlink 7-13 mission got down to the final minute of the countdown before calling a scrub. The next available launch opportunity is Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 5:17 p.m. PST (8:17 p.m. EST, 0117 UTC).
In this launch, the Falcon 9 first stage booster, known as B1071, is about to embark on its 14th flight. It's been quite the journey for this booster, having recently played a crucial role in supporting the Starlink 7-8 launch on December 8, 2023.
After liftoff, approximately 8.5 minutes later, B1071 is expected to make a precise landing on the SpaceX droneship named "Of Course I Still Love You." This droneship is strategically positioned in the vast Pacific Ocean. If everything goes as planned, this landing will mark the 82nd successful landing on OCISLY and the impressive 211th droneship landing overall.
The mission itself was revealed shortly after SpaceX and NASA faced a setback due to strong ground winds. Their attempt to launch NASA's PACE mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station had to be called off. The mission is now rescheduled for 1:33 a.m.
So, as we anticipate the upcoming launch and reflect on the booster's remarkable journey, we also acknowledge the challenges that nature sometimes throws our way in the pursuit of space exploration.
If the Starlink 7-13 launch is successful Wednesday night, these will be the most current stats:
14th launch & landing of B1071
65th SpaceX launch from SLC-4E
133rd orbital launch from SLC-4E
296th Falcon 9 launch
82nd landing on OCISLY
270th Falcon 9 booster landing
5th orbital launch from California in 2024
11th SpaceX launch in 2024
25th orbital launch in 2024california flooding randall munroe scoot zeros scientific american frontiers pace launch whittier california first african american in space nasa asteroids near earth spacex reentry today spacex landing today ax-3
Tags:
tech