SpaceX has announced it is now targeting its next Starlink satellite launch for Tuesday, February 2, instead of Monday.
On Sunday evening, the company said, “Static fire test complete – targeting Tuesday, February 2 at 6:19 a.m. EST for launch of 60 Starlink satellites from LC-39A,” or Launch Complex 39-A from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Static fire test complete – targeting Tuesday, February 2 at 6:19 a.m. EST for launch of 60 Starlink satellites from LC-39A; team is keeping an eye on launch and recovery weather
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 1, 2021
“Team is keeping an eye on launch and recovery weather,” added SpaceX, regarding its 18th Starlink mission.
The Falcon 9 rocket ‘B1049’ will attempt its eighth flight and landing, which would be another reuse record for the booster.
SpaceX has a busy first week of February, as after this Starlink mission on Tuesday, another is expected on Wednesday, the 19th dedicated Starlink mission.
Two autonomous drone ships are already on their way to landing zones ahead of this week’s Starlink launches, as ‘Just Read The Instructions’ and ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ are ready for Falcon 9 landings.
Overdue recovery fleet status map!
Both active droneships are en-route to the Starlink LZ as SpaceX prepares for two Falcon 9 missions in one week. pic.twitter.com/DZiZN0gt6j
— Gav Cornwell 🚢🚀 (@SpaceOffshore) January 31, 2021
Starlink is a constellation of satellites in low-earth orbit, offering internet at much faster download speeds than traditional satellite internet.
The previous Starlink mission was on January 20, when 60 more satellites were sent into space. Currently, Starlink internet is in beta for select customers in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.
