SpaceX moves back launch of its 18th Starlink mission to Tuesday

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — 7:35 p.m. Update:

Officials with the Kennedy Space Center reported Sunday night that SpaceX is now targeting Tuesday at 6:09 a.m. for the planned 18th Starlink mission launch.

Original report:

On Monday, SpaceX is set to launch its 18th mission of the constellation of networked satellites known as Starlink.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink-17 is scheduled to lift off from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39-A at 6:31 a.m.

The goal of Starlink is to create a network that will help provide reliable and affordable internet services across the globe.

Launch viewing opportunities are not available on Monday, due to the launch window being outside normal operating hours of the complex.

Monday’s launch, if successful, will mark the fourth successful launch for SpaceX in 2021.

SpaceX successfully launched its first rocket of 2021 from Central Florida’s Space Coast on Jan. 7.

Earlier this month, SpaceX launched its 17th Starlink mission from the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

Read: WATCH: SpaceX successfully launches 17th Starlink mission from Kennedy Space Center

Most recently, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 Transporter-1 mission from Florida’s space coast on Jan. 24.

The Transporter-1 mission deployed dozens of microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers.

Read: SpaceX successfully launches Falcon 9 Transporter-1 mission on Sunday morning

Stay tuned to WFTV for the latest on the launch updates.

Cox Media Group