After problem SpaceX rocket with Starlink taken off pad, making room for another launch

After rocket trouble scrubbed Friday's Starlink launch right at launch time, following multiple earlier weather-related scrubs, SpaceX decided to remove that Falcon 9 off the pad to make room for the next launch with a different rocket: an Astra/SES communication satellite.

According to an FAA advisory, Astra 1P/SES-24, which will provide satellite TV service for Germany, France and Spain, is scheduled for launch no earlier than 5:35 p.m. Tuesday from Space Launch Complex 40.

SpaceX has yet to give any official information or provide the liftoff time.

When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida

SpaceX stands down from Starlink after multiple scrubs and rocket trouble

After two days of weather delays, SpaceX attempted to launch its Starlink 10-2 mission on Friday, June 14. As countdown reached T-0, the engines ignited ? however, there was no liftoff. Spectators watched the venting rocket still on the pad as the minutes passed by. SpaceX had issued an abort ? a rarity for the space company.

SpaceX later announced that they would be standing down, and a new launch date would be provided when available. This marked the first time in a while that the Space Coast had gone a week without a launch.

With GOES-U, a NOAA satellite, heading for Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A, where it will launch atop of a Falcon Heavy no earlier than June 25, SpaceX is currently limited to Space Launch Complex 40.

SpaceX will launch SES/Astra 1P from Cape Canaveral

Up next for launch is SES/Astra's communication satellite. According to the SES website, Astra has been producing communication satellites for Germany since 1988, providing TV and radio services.

While the launch was originally set for Monday, the launch was moved to no earlier than Tuesday to give SpaceX time to remove the troubled Falcon 9 from the pad.

While SpaceX has not put out an official statement, Kiko Dontchev, who is the VP of launch at SpaceX, announced on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday evening, "Unfortunately there is a real issue so we need to go inspect the hardware in detail on this vehicle. Rocket will get set to the side and we’ll pivot to SES as the rocket and payload are ready to rock. Painful, but safety and reliability are the priority."

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Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at [email protected] or on X: @brookeofstars.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SES Satellite to launch on SpaceX rocket from Cape as Starlink stands down