’22 satellites set to be launched by SpaceX on Friday night following postponement’

SpaceX’s scheduled launch of 22 Starlink satellites has been delayed, with the new launch time set for no sooner than 10:30 p.m. on Friday from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the satellites for Starlink’s 7-18 mission, was originally planned to lift off on Thursday but was canceled before the rocket could be fueled. The reason for the scrubbed launch was not publicly disclosed.

If Friday night’s launch proceeds as planned, it will mark the 15th launch for this Falcon 9 booster, according to SpaceX. This launch would also be the 30th Falcon 9 launch of 2024.

The launch plan for Friday includes the rocket booster landing on SpaceX’s droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean just over eight minutes after liftoff. Currently, there are 5,680 Starlink satellites in orbit, as confirmed by astronomer Jonathan McDowell.

Those interested can watch a live webcast of the launch, which is expected to start approximately five minutes before liftoff.