SpaceX Launches Galileo Satellites Amid Weather Concerns

On September 17, SpaceX prepared for the Falcon 9 launch of the European Commission's Galileo L13 mission, scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission aims to deliver two navigation satellites to medium Earth orbit, marking the second instance of Galileo satellites being launched from the U.S. The launch was preceded by a live webcast that began 15 minutes earlier, highlighting the event's significance. As the launch approached, SpaceX reported a 60% chance of favorable weather conditions for liftoff, although earlier forecasts indicated only a 40% chance. The 45th Weather Squadron classified the recovery weather risk as moderate, indicating potential challenges for the mission. Meteorologists noted that an area of low pressure off the southeast U.S. coast could impact weather patterns, generating clouds and showers across Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket was prepared for the mission, with propellant loading underway shortly before the scheduled launch time. SpaceX expressed confidence in the rocket's ability to deliver the Galileo satellites to orbit and return safely to a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The previous Galileo L12 mission in April provided valuable data that informed design and operational adjustments for this launch. If the launch were to be postponed due to weather concerns, a backup window was available the following day at 6:46 p.m. ET. This contingency plan underscores the importance of favorable conditions for successful satellite deployment and recovery operations.