SpaceX Cancels Falcon 9 Launch Due to Issues with Starlink Satellites

The American company SpaceX has postponed the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket carrying 51 mini satellites for the Starlink satellite internet network by another day. This was reported by the company’s press service, as noted by TASS.

The launch, initially scheduled for January 9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. “Today’s cancellation of the Starlink launch is due to the need to review data regarding the [rocket's] second stage,” the company wrote on Twitter.

It is indicated that SpaceX will be able to make the next launch attempt on Wednesday at 19:48 local time (January 12 at 04:48 Yerevan time).

The Starlink network is designed to provide internet access by deploying a large number of devices weighing 260 kg. The total cost of launching and operating 11,000 satellites by SpaceX is estimated at $10 billion. According to the company, it will be able to provide broadband internet access at speeds of up to 1 Gbps, which is consistent with 5G standards. Since May 2019, SpaceX has launched over 3,200 Starlink satellites into orbit.