On Monday evening, July 21, SpaceX made the decision to abort the launch of two communications satellites just moments before liftoff. The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying two of SES' O3b mPOWER internet spacecraft, was scheduled to launch from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 5:27 p.m. EDT (2127 GMT). However, the launch was called off just 11 seconds before liftoff due to unspecified reasons.
Initially, the launch window was set to extend for an additional 90 minutes, but SpaceX quickly opted to stand down for the day. In a message shared via X (formerly Twitter), the company announced, "Standing down from today’s launch of the @SES_Satellites O3b mPOWER mission and now targeting tomorrow, July 22 for liftoff. Vehicle and payload remain healthy." This statement reassured followers that the Falcon 9 rocket and its payload were in good condition despite the launch delay.
As of the time this article was published, SpaceX had not provided a detailed explanation for the launch abort. However, they are now targeting a new launch window on Tuesday, July 22, which opens at 5:12 p.m. EDT (2112 GMT). For those interested in the upcoming launch, SpaceX will be streaming the event live on its website and X account, starting approximately 15 minutes before liftoff.
The mPOWER constellation, developed by Luxembourg-based SES, consists of eight satellites positioned in medium-Earth orbit. Notably, all of these satellites have been launched by SpaceX. While the network is currently operational, it is not yet complete; SES plans to expand the constellation to feature a total of 13 spacecraft in the future. This expansion aims to enhance global internet connectivity and improve communication services across various regions.
Stay tuned for more updates on the O3b mPOWER mission and the upcoming launch, as SpaceX continues to play a pivotal role in advancing satellite communications technology.
