SpaceX scrubs its 10th Starlink satellite launch once again

By Georgina Torbet Published April 28, 2022

SpaceX has scrubbed its Starlink launch planned for July 11, stating that it has delayed the launch “to allow more time for checkouts.” The company also stated it was working to identify a new launch opportunity, with a new date to be announced once confirmed.

Contents

Reflective controversy
How to watch the launch

This is yet another canceled attempt to launch its 10th batch of Starlink satellites into orbit after having to postpone several times.

Recommended Videos

“Targeting Saturday, July 11 at 10:54 a.m. EDT for Falcon 9 launch of 57 Starlink satellites and 2 BlackSky spacecraft,” SpaceX confirmed on Twitter.

Targeting Saturday, July 11 at 10:54 a.m. EDT for Falcon 9 launch of 57 Starlink satellites and 2 BlackSky spacecraft, a @SpaceflightInc customer

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 9, 2020

The mission had been scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, but had to be scrubbed within the final hour before launch due to weather conditions. This earlier date was itself a reschedule of a planned launch on June 26, which had to be postponed as the “team needed additional time for pre-launch checkouts,” SpaceX said.

The 10th Starlink launch will include 57 Starlink satellites to be placed into orbit, in addition to a number of other satellites from other companies as part of SpaceX’s rideshare program. There will be two satellites included from BlackSky, a geospace intelligence company that is launching a pair of satellites for observing Earth under the Spaceflight Industries service.

Reflective controversy

The launch is notable as all the Starlink satellites which are to be distributed are fitted with a new visor which should prevent some reflection from the sun and lessen the impact that these launches have on astronomical observations. Astronomers have complained that, with their constellation launches and low orbit, Starlink satellites interfere with observations and could seriously harm their ability to collect science data.

“All Starlink satellites on this flight are equipped with a deployable visor to block sunlight from hitting the brightest spots of the spacecraft,” SpaceX said on its website, “a measure SpaceX has taken as part of our work with leading astronomical groups to mitigate satellite reflectivity.”

The visor is part of SpaceX’s plans to make its satellite launches more astronomer-friendly. The visor should deflect the sun’s rays, lessening the reflectiveness of the satellites, and the company has also discussed changing the orientation of the satellites so they are edge-on to the sun which should also lessen the amount of light reflected.

Other plans in the works include a “DarkSat” prototype which is made using different materials and is therefore less reflective.

How to watch the launch

You can watch the launch live as it happens on SpaceX’s website. Launches are also shown on SpaceX’s YouTube channel. The launch is scheduled to take place at 10:54 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 11, with coverage beginning at around 10:40 a.m. ET.

Updated July 11 with news that the launch has been scrubbed.

Topics

Georgina Torbet

Space Writer

Georgina has been the space writer at Digital Trends space writer for six years, covering human space exploration, planetary…

Space

What to expect from SpaceX’s sixth megarocket test flight

SpaceX's Super Heavy launch during the fifth test flight of the Starship.

As it unleashes a record 17 million pounds of thrust at launch, the sight of SpaceX’s 120-meter-tall Starship rocket roaring skyward is something to behold.

The Elon Musk-led spaceflight company has already performed five Starship flights since the first one in April 2023, with each one more successful than the last. Comprising the upper-stage Starship spacecraft and the first-stage Super Heavy booster (collectively known as the Starship), the giant vehicle willo be used by NASA for crew and cargo missions to the moon, Mars, and possibly beyond.

Space

SpaceX reveals date for next flight of Starship megarocket

The Starship launching from Starbase in October 2024.

SpaceX has revealed that it is targeting Monday, November 18, for the sixth test of the Starship, the world’s most powerful rocket comprising the first-stage Super Heavy booster and the upper-stage Starship spacecraft.

The massive vehicle, which creates around 17 million pounds of thrust at launch, is set to be used by NASA for crew and cargo missions to the moon, and possibly even Mars, though there’s still much testing to be done.

Space

A SpaceX Crew Dragon is doing a shuffle at the ISS — here’s how to watch

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov approaches the International Space Station as it orbits 259 miles above Oregon.

This week will see a special maneuver at the International Space Station (ISS) as a SpaceX Crew Dragon takes one of the tiniest flights ever, hopping just a few meters over from one port of the station to another. And NASA will live stream the event, so you'll be able to watch the spacecraft take this short flight as it happens.

The changeover is necessary to make space for another SpaceX craft that will arrive on Monday, October 4. But this new arrival won't carry any crew as it is a cargo craft, part of the 31st commercial resupply services mission by SpaceX. This new arrival will dock at the forward-facing port on the Space Station's Harmony module, as it is easiest for craft to dock there than on the space-facing side. But the Crew Dragon is currently occupying this port, so it needs to undock, move to the other space-facing port, and redock there.