SpaceX Proceeds with Starlink Satellite Launch Despite Setbacks

 The renowned Falcon 9 rocket from the company took off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 8:10 p.m. ET, deviating from its original 6:15 p.m. ET launch time, which was subsequently rescheduled to 7:21 p.m. ET and then 7:37 p.m. ET. The reasons for these delays were not specified by SpaceX.

SpaceX mentioned that backup attempts would continue until 9:55 p.m. ET, but did not disclose the number of backup attempts. Spectrum News meteorologist Zach Covey indicated favorable weather conditions for the Sunday evening launch, predicting a 90% likelihood of a successful launch, with potential hindrance only from liftoff winds. Breezy winds of 10 to 15 mph from the northwest were expected.

In the event of a scrubbed launch, SpaceX aimed for the next attempt on Monday at 5:39 p.m. ET.

This launch marked the 18th mission for SpaceX's first-stage booster B1062. The preceding 17 missions included notable projects such as GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, Arabsat's Badr 8, and ten Starlink satellite missions.

Post-stage separation, the first-stage booster was anticipated to land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas positioned in the Atlantic Ocean.