Space Force: Weather decent for SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from the Cape early Thursday

The Galaxy 37 telecommunications satellite built by Maxar Technologies for Luxembourg-based operator, Intelsat, is photographed during pre-flight processing.

INTELSAT

Weather conditions around Cape Canaveral Space Force Station early Thursday are likely to be favorable for SpaceX's next launch of a communications satellite, according to an update issued this week.

Forecasters with the Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45 said conditions for the Falcon 9 liftoff between 12:05 a.m. to 2:25 a.m. EDT early Thursday, August 3, should be 90% "go." SpaceX is expected to narrow down a targeted liftoff time from the Cape's Launch Complex 40 soon.

Coastal afternoon stormy conditions Wednesday should push further inland throughout the evening, leaving "only a small concern for anvils to linger in their wake during the primary launch window late Wednesday night," forecasters said. "There will also be a limited threat for onshore moving Atlantic showers."

In the event of a delay to early Friday around the same time, the backup launch window's conditions deteriorate slightly to 85% "go."

"Not much change in local weather over the spaceport from Wednesday," forecasters said. "But a better chance of storms across north Florida brings a small increase in the threat for anvil clouds to reach the Spaceport during the backup window."

This mission, known as Galaxy 37, will loft the next in a series of satellites intended to deliver television and communication services for Luxembourg-based operator Intelsat. If it launches on time, it will mark the 39th Space Coast launch of the year.

Following liftoff, the 162-foot first-stage booster is expected to target a drone ship landing in the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters projected weather conditions to be "low risk" for the booster's recovery.

Launch Thursday, August 3

Company / Agency: SpaceX for Intelsat
Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Launch Window: 12:05 a.m. EDT to 2:25 a.m. EDT
Trajectory: Eastern
Weather: 90% "go"
Landing: Drone ship
Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff

Quelle: Florida Today

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Update: 3.08.2023 / 17:30 MESZ

INTELSAT G-37 MISSION

On Thursday, August 3 at 1:00 a.m. ET, SpaceX launched the Intelsat G-37 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

This was the sixth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III-6, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, and one Starlink mission.