Space is important to us, and that’s why we work to bring you the best coverage of the industry and Florida releases. Such journalism requires time and resources. Please support by subscribing here.
—
Update, Friday, October. 7: SpaceX has canceled its launch attempt on Friday, October. 7 to allow extra time for vehicle inspection. The next attempt is scheduled for Saturday, October 19:05. 8.
SpaceX’s plans to launch three flights in three days were cut short Thursday evening when the Falcon 9 rocket’s launch sequence was automatically aborted.
Immediately after the 30-second reminder, an automatic launch abort sequence was initiated by the rocket at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The computer-controlled process automatically shuts down launch operations, forcing SpaceX to scrap Thursday’s attempt entirely.
Liftoff from Launch Complex 40 is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. EDT. SpaceX now plans to try again on Friday, October 19:06 EDT. 7.
A still camera after SpaceX successfully launched two Falcon 9s into space yesterday: one from the Kennedy Space Center carrying a crew of four aboard a Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station; and just seven hours later it covered boosting Starlink internet satellites from California.
SpaceX’s launch director said the abort was due to a “higher-than-expected cryogenic helium fission reading.”
The company’s CEO Elon Musk later clarified on Twitter: “Small helium leak (just barely started an abort), but we’re not taking any chances with customer satellites. We’re stopping to investigate.”
Two commercial communications spacecraft for Intelsat, a Luxembourg-based satellite operator, are secured in the rocket’s payload bay. They are known as Galaxy 33 and 34.
With Space Launch Delta 45, Space Force forecasters said Thursday that a few clouds and possibly showers cannot be ruled out, but “a very similar pattern is expected for Thursday’s attempt with a few more mystery clouds.”
Conditions, SLD 45 said, should be about 90% “go” for Thursday’s backup attempt.
If all goes well, Space Coast will see its third release in just four days.
Visit for latest information floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Jamie Groh is the space reporter for Florida Today. He can be reached at JGroh@floridatoday.com. follow him On Twitter @AlteredJamie.
October 8: SpaceX Galaxy
- Company / Agency: SpaceX for Intelsat
- Rocket: Falcon 9
- Location: Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Start time: 7:05 pm EDT
- Trajectory: Northeast
- Weather: TBD
- Live streaming: available 60 minutes before takeoff at floridatoday.com/space
- About: SpaceX will launch two commercial communications satellites for Luxembourg-based Intelsat, known as Galaxy 33 and 34.
