SpaceX postponed the Falcon 9 rocket launch early Friday for unknown reasons. This rocket was set to carry 21 new satellites for the Starlink internet network.
The launch from pad 39A has been rescheduled for later that same day at 9:15 p.m. EDT (0115 UTC). This marks the 28th Starlink launch in 2025.
Spaceflight Now plans to offer live coverage starting an hour prior to the launch.
Weather conditions are looking promising, with an 85 percent chance of favorable weather, thanks to a forecast by the 45th Weather Squadron.
For this mission, SpaceX will use the Falcon 9 booster B1083, marking its 10th flight. This booster has previously supported significant missions, including crewed spaceflights and lunar lander launches.
Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, B1083 aims to land on the droneship, “A Shortfall of Gravitas.” If successful, this will be the 104th landing for that ship and the 429th booster landing overall.
Among the 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites, 13 include Direct to Cell (DTC) capabilities. So far, SpaceX has launched over 550 DTC-capable satellites.
Recently, Michael Nicholls, Vice President of Starlink Engineering, announced that DTC service has launched in Japan, thanks to a partnership with KDDI, a major telecom operator. This move enables connectivity for more than six million devices across the country.
SpaceX isn’t stopping there. They are making strides to extend their internet service even further. Just this week, they announced expansions into Guyana and Jordan.
In a fast-paced world, satellite internet continues to grow. The trend of using space technology for wider internet access can be a game changer, especially in remote areas. With over 1 billion people in the world lacking reliable internet, advancements like SpaceX’s are truly significant.
To learn more about the future of satellite internet and its potential impact, check out the research done by the International Telecommunication Union [here](https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx).
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