Because of unfavorable weather conditions, SpaceX has postponed the upcoming Falcon 9 launch for @SemperCitiusSDA’s second Tranche 1 data transport mission. The new target date is Wednesday, October 15, with the launch taking place from pad 4E in California.
This kind of shift is common in rocket launches—weather, wind, cloud cover, and other atmospheric factors play a huge role in ensuring mission safety and success. SpaceX and mission partners will keep monitoring conditions leading up to the new window.
When it does go, the mission will continue SDA’s effort to build out its Tranche 1 Transport Layer, part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The transport satellites are designed to provide low-latency tactical data links, beyond-line-of-sight communications, and support to allied forces.
This launch won’t be the first in Tranche 1: the first batch of 21 data transport satellites already launched from California earlier, and the full Tranche 1 constellation is expected to include 154 satellites in total.
Delays like this are part of the reality of spaceflight. The extra time allows for checks, verifications, and flexibility so that when the rocket does go, it’s got the best shot at success. Stay tuned for more updates as October 15 approaches.
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