SpaceX is targeting Wednesday for a second attempt to launch its Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, following a last-minute scrub Monday due to poor weather. The mission, carrying the final satellite in the ViaSat-3 series, is scheduled for liftoff at 10:13 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A, with an 85-minute window opening at that time. The rocket will generate 5.1 million pounds of thrust to send ViaSat-3 F3 into geosynchronous transfer orbit. Deployment of the six-ton satellite is expected nearly five hours after launch.
The satellite will expand global broadband capabilities, according to Dave Abrahamian, Viasat’s vice president of Satellite Systems. He said the new technology will allow airlines to offer free 4K streaming on flights, a leap from the basic SMS and email services available when the company launched its first satellite over a decade ago. "You can stream Netflix at 4K in the sky," Abrahamian said. "I think the public will appreciate the results without necessarily understanding how we got there."
The 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 90% chance of favorable conditions during the launch window, up from 55% on Monday. Meteorologists now cite thick clouds as the main concern, though no rain is expected. SpaceX will reuse three boosters for the mission, including two side boosters that have flown before—tail number 1072 will make its second flight, while 1075 will fly for the 22nd time.
Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage starting two hours before liftoff. This will be the first Falcon Heavy launch from Florida since May 2023, marking a key step in SpaceX’s efforts to maintain its heavy-lift capabilities amid increasing demand for satellite internet services.