SpaceX is standing down from today’s launch of its tenth Starlink mission due to weather conditions. The SpaceX teams are working with the Range to determine the next available opportunity for launch of 57 Starlink satellites and 2 Seattle-based BlackSky satellites, that are a Spaceflight customer, from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The BlackSky satellites will form part of an Earth observation constellation that will eventually total 60. They will join four satellites already in orbit from launches in 2018 and 2019, with four more planned to launch from India in 2020. All Starlink satellites on this flight are equipped with a deployable visor to block sunlight from hitting the brightest spots of the spacecraft that is a measure SpaceX has taken as part of our work with leading astronomical groups to mitigate satellite reflectivity.
Falcon 9’s first stage previously supported Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission to the International Space Station, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, and the fourth and seventh Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
The BlackSky Global spacecraft will deploy sequentially beginning one hour and one minute after liftoff, and the Starlink satellites will deploy approximately one hour and 32 minutes after liftoff. Starlink satellites will be deployed in a circular orbit, as was done on the first through fourth Starlink missions.