If the weather cooperates, SpaceX is set today to set a launch cadence record while also launching its heaviest GTO payload yet (6,761 kilograms!!)
June 29th Static Fire, Image from SpaceX Twitter
This unfortunately means there will be no landing (note there are no legs or grid-fins on the first stage in the image above), yet it should still be quite the spectacle as it launches the Inmarsat 35e satellite this evening. The launch was initially scheduled to fly on Falcon Heavy, but as the Falcon 9 has had a significant boost in capability it is now capable of launching expendable payloads far beyond what was possible with the first version of the vehicle retired in 2013 (4,540 kg then, 8,300 kg now). When Falcon Heavy becomes operational, payloads like this will be well within the recovery window (8,000 kg recovering all three cores).
The launch is scheduled 19:36 - 20:34 EDT (23:36 - 00:34 UTC). I recommend tuning in below 15-20 minutes prior to that time to watch pre-launch activities.
Today's forecast is 40% go. If today's launch scrubs the next attempt will be tomorrow July 3 with a window starting at 19:37 EDT (23:37 UTC). Hope you've found this post informative, let me know if you have any suggestions or questions below!
