Weather and technicals permitting, we’ll see three launches from the Space Coast over the next eight days. Today (6/18), SpaceX plans to launch the Astra1P/SES-24 mission from Space Launch Complex 40. At the end of the week, Starlink 10-2 will return to the pad after last week’s unexpected abort at ignition.
Next Tuesday, Falcon Heavy is slated to carry the GOES-U weather satellite to orbit for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Weather
It’s summer, it’s Florida, and that means thunderstorms are a constant possibility, and next week is no different. The 45th Weather Squadron has issued an official Probability of Violation for tomorrow’s launch:
During the week, forecasters are predicting the possibility of a weak tropical system coming ashore somewhere Thursday on the Space Coast. While this will hardly be the sort of weather system that has native Floridians heading to Publix to stock up on necessities, it sounds like the kind of system that will bring a lot of rain to the area.
Rain and rocket launches do not happen at the same time as a general rule, of course, so it is very possible that any launch plans for later in the week — specifically Starlink 10-2 — could be affected.
The best advice: wait and see. It’s Florida and the weather forecast can be highly local and also can change very quickly. Keep in mind that launch dates and time can and do change quickly, even on days where the weather is great.
This article was written for Talk of Titusville by FMN’s Charles Boyer
