SpaceX has scrubbed its planned Starlink launch for July 11, stating that it has delayed the launch “to allow more time to pay.” The company also stated that it was working to identify a new launch opportunity, with a new date to be announced once confirmed.
This is another canceled attempt to launch its tenth batch of Starlink satellites into orbit after having to postpone multiple times.
“Aiming on Saturday, July 11 at 10:54 am EDT for the launch of Falcon 9 from 57 Starlink satellites and 2 BlackSky spacecraft,” SpaceX confirmed on Twitter.
Aiming Saturday July 11 at 10:54 am EDT for Falcon 9 launch of 57 Starlink satellites and 2 BlackSky spacecraft, a client of @SpaceflightInc
– SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 9, 2020
The mission had been scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, but had to be scrubbed within the last hour before launch due to weather conditions. This earlier date was itself a rescheduling of a launch scheduled for June 26, which had to be postponed as “the team needed additional time for pre-launch payments,” SpaceX said.
Starlink’s 10th 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 ride-sharing program. There will be two included satellites from BlackSky, a geospatial intelligence company that is launching a pair of Earth-observing satellites under the service of Spaceflight Industries.
Reflective controversy
The launch is notable since all Starlink satellites to be distributed are equipped with a new sun visor that should avoid some reflection from the sun and lessen the impact 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 damage their ability to collect scientific data.
“All Starlink satellites on this flight are equipped with a fold-out visor to prevent sunlight from hitting the spacecraft’s brightest points,” SpaceX said on its website, “a move SpaceX has taken as part of our I work with the main astronomical groups to mitigate the reflexivity satellite. “
The viewer is part of SpaceX’s plans to make its satellite launches more astronomer-friendly. The visor must deflect the sun’s rays, decreasing the reflectivity of the satellites, and the company has also discussed changing the orientation of the satellites so that they are at the edge of the sun, which should also decrease the amount of reflected light.
Other plans in the works include a “DarkSat” prototype that is made of different materials and is therefore less reflective.
How to watch the launch
You can see the launch live as it happens on the SpaceX website. The releases are also shown on SpaceX’s YouTube channel. Launch is scheduled for 10:54 am ET on Saturday, July 11, and coverage will begin around 10:40 am ET.
Updated on July 11 with news that the release has been removed.
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