Science & Tech · Space · 11 hrs ago
SpaceX reschedules Bandwagon-5 launch for Tuesday morning
SpaceX has moved its Bandwagon-5 launch to Tuesday morning after unfavorable weather delayed the flight planned for Monday.
The Falcon 9 is scheduled to lift off at 6:30 a.m.
from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
It will carry 32 payloads, including SpaceX’s uncrewed Starfall capsule and satellites for multiple customers.
The rocket will travel southeast, making the best views more likely in the Caribbean and central and southern Florida than in North Carolina.
People farther north may still see a glowing “space jellyfish,” formed when rocket exhaust high above the ground catches sunlight before sunrise.
The display is possible while the ground remains dark, but it is not material falling back to Earth.
The launch window runs from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., and SpaceX’s mission page will have the latest timing and a live stream.
SpaceX plans to launch its uncrewed Starfall reentry capsule and 31 other customer payloads on the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission.
The Falcon 9 is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Spaceflight Now reported a Monday launch plan, while WRAL said the launch was rescheduled to Tuesday because of unfavorable weather.
The mission is expected to fly southeast, and its illuminated rocket exhaust may be visible from parts of Florida and the Caribbean.
Starfall is described as a microgravity laboratory for research and in-space manufacturing.
- Who
- SpaceX is launching the mission, carrying its Starfall capsule and 31 other customer payloads.
- What
- A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission.
- When
- Spaceflight Now reported a launch scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19; WRAL later reported it was rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 a.m.
- Where
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
- Why
- Starfall is designed as a microgravity laboratory for researchers and entrepreneurs. The mission will also carry customer payloads into orbit.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SpaceX discussed Starfall during a launch broadcast, according to Spaceflight Now.
Spaceflight Now reported that Bandwagon-5 was scheduled to launch before dawn on Monday.
WRAL reported that the launch had been pushed back because of unfavorable weather and was targeting 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.
- Mission
- Bandwagon-5
- Payloads
- 32 total: Starfall and 31 other payloads
- Launch vehicle
- Falcon 9
- Launch site
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
- Target launch time
- 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, according to WRAL
2 sources
What people are saying
SpaceX has developed a new spacecraft called Starfall, which at its core is a microgravity lab researchers and entrepreneurs can leverage to develop their products and innovations
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