SpaceX announced its plan launch of the Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express mission to low Earth orbit on Sunday. But late Saturday night, it tweeted it would delay the planned launch, setting it for Monday.
Standing down from tomorrow’s launch attempt of Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express to conduct additional inspections of the second stage. Working toward a backup launch opportunity on December 3.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 2, 2018
Vandenberg Air Force base will hold the launch of the mission carrying 64 payloads, the “largest single rideshare mission from a U.S.-based launch vehicle to date.”
The mission will also be the first time SpaceX has launched the same booster a third time, according to the company.
“Falcon 9’s first stage for the Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express mission previously supported the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 mission in May 2018 and the Merah Putih mission in August 2018.”
The launch window is set from 10:32 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Following stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
To watch the launch live or learn more about the mission, visit www.spacex.com/webcast.
