It’s no surprise that the potential weather issues on May 3, with 100% cloud cover was the reason that the Starlink Group 15-3 of 29 smallsats launch was scrubbed and is tentatively rescheduled for Sunday, May 4 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Liftoff is targeted for 4:53 a.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 8:48 a.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, May 5 starting at 4:22 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
This is the 20th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-6, SES O3b mPOWER-B, USSF-124, Bluebird 1-5, and 15 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
The weather forecast for Vandenberg Space Force Base includes overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover, and 21 mph winds. This launch was expected to deploy 26 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, and will further add to the Starlink smallsat constellation.
The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on ASDS OCISLY in the Pacific Ocean after its flight. The mission costs $52 million.
SpaceX’s Saturday launch of Starlink’s Group 15-3 smallsats may have weather issues
On Saturday, May 3, Falcon 9 will launch 26 smallsats of Starlink Group 15-3 into low Earth orbit at 11:27 AM – 3:55 PM PDT from Vandenberg for the Starlink smallsat constellation.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 56°F, overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover and a wind speed of 21mph.
The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on ASDS OCISLY in the Pacific Ocean after its flight. The mission costs $52 million.