SpaceX is now targeting Thursday, June 20 for a Falcon 9 launch of the SES ASTRA 1P mission to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The two-hour and 49-minute launch window opens at 5:35 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Friday, June 21 at the same time.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the ninth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX

It is noted that due to the recent scrubs that include a last minute launch halt and several weather situations that the Space Coast is now in launch drought with the last launch on Friday, June 7 of Starlink satellites.

SpaceX scrubs Tuesday’s SES ASTRA 1P launch until Junteenth, Florida weather permitting

Astra 1P and 1Q artist rendition. Credit SES.

SpaceX offers the following statement, “Standing down from today’s launch of the @SES_Satellites ASTRA 1P mission due to unfavorable weather conditions in Florida. Now targeting tomorrow, June 19 for liftoff → https://spacex.com/launches.”

Perhaps the rest of the week will necessitate scrubs due to the following report:

Forecast Discussion: Dominant easterly flow will continue through the rest of this week as an easterly wave draws nearer. Wind speeds will be in the 25-30mph range for a Wednesday night launch attempt, with gusts potentially reaching 35-40mph within any shower activity.

A significant moisture increase is expected on Thursday and into Friday morning with the arrival of the easterly wave. Winds will turn more northeasterly, and trend down to the 18-23mph range. The primary concern on a Thursday evening launch attempt will be a Cumulus Cloud and/or Anvil Cloud violation as moisture converges over the Space Coast creating widespread showers and potential convection.

Astra 1P, a classic wide-beam satellite, will replace aging satellites in SES’s 19.2° East prime video neighborhood. The new satellite will ensure content owners, private and public broadcasters across Germany, France and Spain to continue broadcasting satellite TV channels in the highest-picture quality in the most cost-efficient manner. It will be based on the full electric and powerful Spacebus NEO platform developed by Thales Alenia Space and already flight proven in orbit.

ASTRA 1P integration of RF hardware in the North half module in Toulouse clean room
Credit: Thales Alenia Space.

This mission marks the first time an Astra satellite will be launched by SpaceX.

The successful launch of Astra 1P will be a significant milestone for both SES and SpaceX. It will allow SES to maintain its leading position in the European satellite TV market, while SpaceX will continue to demonstrate its capabilities as a reliable and cost-effective launch provider.

SpaceX to launch two on Tuesday with SES ASTRA 1P mission from Florida

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, June 18 for a Falcon 9 launch of the SES ASTRA 1P mission to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The two-hour and 49-minute launch window opens at 5:35 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Wednesday, June 19 with the same window.

SES states that the new satellites will provide replacement capacity for ageing satellites and increase our available capacity.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the ninth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.