SpaceX now targeting Wednesday launch from Cape Canaveral

Mission pushed back following failed test flight of rocket in Texas

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – SpaceX has confirmed it is now targeting early Wednesday for launch of the AsiaSat 6 commercial communications satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a day later than previously planned.

Local 6 News partner Florida Today reports the launch is set for 12:50 a.m. Wednesday from Launch Complex 40, at the opening of a window to 4:05 a.m.

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The weather outlook is uncertain given the potential development of a tropical storm that could influence local conditions. An early forecast predicts a 60 percent chance of favorable conditions.

"The weather at launch time will likely be dependent on the exact track, intensity, size and speed of this system," said the report released Saturday by the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron.

The launch had been planned early Tuesday.

SpaceX said the mission was pushed back a day after Friday's failed flight of a test rocket in Texas.

Company spokesman John Taylor said that while the three-engine, single-stage "F9R" development vehicle and its McGregor, Texas, launch site are very different from the Falcon 9 being readied for launch from Cape Canaveral, "we are taking some additional time to review the circumstances that caused the test vehicle to auto terminate to confirm that there is not a risk to orbital flight."

"SpaceX prizes mission assurance above all," he said in a statement. "This action is consistent with that philosophy."

Pending the Air Force's approval of the dates, SpaceX and Asiasat would have Thursday as a backup date if the mission did not launch on its first attempt Wednesday.


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