SpaceX postpones two consecutive launches of the X-37B spaceplane and 23 Starlink satellites.

SpaceX has abandoned a planned sky-lighting Florida doubleheader Monday, after prepping a powerful Falcon Heavy rocket for launch to put an unpiloted X-37B spaceplane into orbit for the U.S. Space Force with a workhorse Falcon 9 originally scheduled to follow a few hours later carrying 23 Starlink internet satellites.

Due to technical issues with ground equipment, SpaceX had to cancel the highly anticipated Falcon Heavy launch less than an hour before it was scheduled to take off. This disrupted the plan for two consecutive launches within a span of three hours. Later in the evening, the company updated its website to inform that the Starlink launch had also been cancelled.

SpaceX announced on X that the Falcon Heavy launch for tonight has been cancelled due to a problem on the ground. However, both the vehicle and payload are in good condition. The team is now preparing for the next launch opportunity of the USSF-52 mission, which is scheduled for no earlier than tomorrow night.

Tonight’s Falcon Heavy launch has been cancelled due to a problem on the ground. The vehicle and payload are still in good condition. The team is preparing for the next launch opportunity for the USSF-52 mission, which will not happen before tomorrow night.

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 12, 2023

No specific time was given for the planned launch. However, SpaceX announced that their Starlink team is preparing for a launch on Tuesday at 11:02 p.m. EST.

William Harwood

Since 1984, Bill Harwood has been dedicated to reporting on the U.S. space program, initially as the bureau chief for United Press International in Cape Canaveral and currently as a consultant for CBS News.

Source: cbsnews.com