Will SpaceX Proceed With Falcon 9’s AMOS-17 Launch This Week?

After postponing the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket for its AMOS-17 mission, it seems SpaceX is now ready to proceed with the launch later this week. The mission was delayed several times due to issues regarding the weather and the rocket.

The mission was originally scheduled to take place on July 24. Unfortunately, the unfavorable weather conditions in Florida forced SpaceX to cancel the launch. A rescheduled launch was supposed to take place on Aug. 3 but the aerospace company canceled this too after replacing a suspect valve on Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage.

Through a Twitter update, SpaceX noted that a static fire test will be conducted following the replacement of the rocket’s component. The company said that a new date for the launch will be set after the test.

Team is setting up an additional static fire test of Falcon 9 after replacing a suspect valve. Will confirm updated target launch date for AMOS-17 once complete.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 1, 2019

Although the company is yet to provide an official update regarding the official launch, a memo submitted by a branch of the U.S. Force indicated that the mission could kick-off on Aug. 6.

The memo came from the 45^th Weather Squadron and provided a forecast for the launch mission. According to the document, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to occur in Florida near the launch site. Despite the unfavorable weather forecast, the 45^th Weather Squadron believes the conditions will clear up by Aug. 6, which could provide a launch window for SpaceX.

If everything goes well, SpaceX could proceed with an official launch of Falcon 9 later this week.

Falcon 9’s upcoming mission will solely focus on deploying the AMOS-17 satellite into space. This is a communication satellite developed by Space Communication, an Israeli company that operates satellites. As a communications provider, Space Communication handles coverage to the majority of the Middle East and East-Central Europe.

AMOS-17 is expected to serve as a replacement for AMOS 6, which was supposed to launch on Sept. 3, 2016, through SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Unfortunately, as the ground crew prepared for a static fire test, an anomaly on the launch pad occurred. This resulted in the explosion of the rocket and AMOS-6. No injuries or casualties were reported during the incident.