Space Luisa Fernanda
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Sunday, October 11, 2026 · UTC
Launches & Rockets

SpaceX to attempt Falcon 9 military satellite launch Saturday after Monday abort

The new launch window opens five days after an automatic abort stopped the countdown with 58 seconds remaining.

Luisa Marconi
Senior Space Correspondent
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SpaceX readies Falcon 9 for military satellite launch
SpaceX readies Falcon 9 for military satellite launch AI illustrationhow this picture was made
SpaceX is scheduled to attempt a Falcon 9 launch carrying 21 United States military Space Development Agency data satellites early Saturday. [1] The prior attempt on Monday October 5 was halted by an automatic abort at T minus 58 seconds, moments after onboard computers assumed control of the countdown. [4] SpaceX has confirmed the rocket and payload remain in good health, with teams resetting for the new window. [6] On October 9, NASA deployed the KREPE-3 heat shield experiment aboard the Northrop Grumman 24th Cygnus cargo mission prior to the craft's undocking from the International Space Station. [2] The Cygnus XL was released from the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm at 12:44 p.m. EDT that day. It had been docked at the station for nearly six months. [3] [7] This is the third flight in the KREPE series, which uses departing cargo craft to test heat shield technology without dedicated launch missions. [5]
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  1. SpaceX is scheduled to attempt a launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 data satellites for the U.S. military's Space Development Agency (SDA) early Saturday, five days after a launch abort on Monday, October 5, 2026. · spaceflightnow.com
  2. NASA deployed the KREPE-3 heat shield experiment aboard the Northrop Grumman 24th Cygnus cargo mission upon its undocking from the International Space Station. · NASAUnited Statesofficial source
  3. The Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL spacecraft was released from the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm at 12:44 p.m. EDT on October 9, carrying thousands of pounds of discarded equipment and waste alongside the experimental capsules. · Interesting Engineering
  4. The Monday launch attempt was halted by an auto-abort with 58 seconds remaining on the clock, triggered moments after the rocket's onboard computers took control of the countdown. · spaceflightnow.com
  5. The project is the third in the KREPE series, which uses the disposal of cargo spacecraft to test technologies without requiring dedicated launches. · Interesting Engineering
  6. SpaceX stated in a social media post that the vehicle and payload are in good health and teams are resetting for a launch attempt no earlier than tomorrow, October 6. · spaceflightnow.com
  7. The Cygnus XL spacecraft arrived at the station nearly six months prior to its release. · NASAUnited Statesofficial source
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