The supermoon and SpaceX rose, but ULA scrubs launch, will try again Thursday
As November’s impressive supermoon ascended over Florida’s Space Coast, SpaceX successfully launched another Falcon 9 mission, while United Launch Alliance (ULA) had to scrub its scheduled Atlas V liftoff and postpone it until Thursday night.
SpaceX launch success
On Wednesday evening, SpaceX launched the Starlink 6-81 mission from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40 at 8:30 p.m., deploying 29 satellites into orbit. The mission continued SpaceX’s domination of launch activity throughout the year.
“Falcon 9 launches 29 @Starlink satellites from Florida.”
ULA delays Atlas V launch
United Launch Alliance was preparing for a separate mission less than two miles from SpaceX’s pad, but its team called off the launch attempt. The company plans to try again Thursday at 10:16 p.m.
Supermoon highlights
Earlier that evening, November’s full supermoon—known as the Beaver Moon per the Farmer’s Almanac—rose at 5:41 p.m. It was the second of three supermoons this year and the closest to Earth, coming within just under 222,000 miles.
According to NASA, a supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest full moon of the year.
Scene on the Space Coast
Both rockets stood side by side at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station under the glow of the supermoon, marking another dynamic night for America’s launch hub even with only one rocket taking to the sky.
Author’s summary: A radiant supermoon lit Florida’s coast as SpaceX achieved another Falcon 9 launch, while ULA’s Atlas V stood grounded awaiting its Thursday retry.