CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – What was going to be the 45th launch of the year on the Space Coast could not get off the ground on Friday.
A Starlink launch was previously scrubbed Wednesday and Thursday due to weather, but regardless of when it finally launches, there would still need to be five more launches over the rest of the month to keep pace with the big, record-aspiring goal of 100 launches by year’s end.
After the Space Coast saw 72 launches last year, CBS space consultant Bill Harwood told News 6 reporter James Sparvero that the weather would be a factor on whether the agency reaches the 100-launch threshold in 2024.
“If the weather cooperates, then I think the 100 flights out of here in a year is certainly feasible, but it’s Florida’s Space Coast, and we sometimes get some stretches of pretty bad weather,” Harwood said.
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Weather will also play a huge role in the return to Earth for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
The first astronauts on Boeing’s Starliner capsule are now scheduled to fly home from the International Space Station on June 22.
As excited as the decorated crew looked to be back on the station when they got there a week ago, Butch and Suni probably won’t mind the extended stay.
Butch was smiling, answering questions from children this week from his home state of Tennessee.
“What does it feel like during a rocket launch?” Wilmore was asked.
“It is a fantastic ride, I’m telling you. I recommend it to all of you,” Butch said laughing.
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