KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — SpaceX successfully launched the Starlink S-64 mission on the third attempt. The mission will send 22 satellites aimed for low-Earth orbit. SpaceX officially stood down from a planned Starlink launch Thursday, citing an issue with the transporter erector's cradle arms.

What You Need To Know

  • The Starlink mission 6-44 that was expected to launch Wednesday was initially pushed to Thursday, but was later scrubbed due to an issue with the transporter erector

  • The mission deployed nearly two dozen Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit

  • Friday's launch was the third attempt to launch the mission

The Starlink 6-44 mission was initially slated for a launch on Wednesday, but SpaceX stood down from that on as well. SpaceX said that a new launch attempt could come as early as Friday. 

This is the 19th flight for the first-stage booster B1062 supporting the mission, which previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8, and 11 Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

The 23 Starlink v2-mini satellites will head into low-Earth orbit to join thousands of others as part of the company's internet satellite constellation.