SpaceX scrubs Falcon 9 launch, liftoff now set for Friday

Orlando, Fla. — Less than an hour before the launch of another 60 Starlink satellites, SpaceX postponed the mission until Friday afternoon.

It became increasingly apparent that a Thursday 2:19 p.m. launch was not happening as scheduled when the Falcon 9 failed to be fueled with propellant.

Weather conditions at the launch pad Thursday afternoon were favorable with thick clouds being the only weather concern.

SpaceX delayed the launch “due to recovery issue,” which could mean conditions around the Falcon 9 recovery zone and the Just Read the Instructions drone ship were unsafe.

So far, the company has launched over 700 Starlink satellites—only a fraction of their goal of 12,000 in low-Earth orbit.

The new instantaneous launch window is now Friday, Sept. 18 at 1:57 p.m.

According to the 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral, there is only a 30% chance of favorable weather for that time.

Cox Media Group