It was not surprising to get priority on the range schedule for SpaceX as it had already reserved the launch window launched with the Space Force for April 10. SpaceX later delayed the launch of this special Starlink launch for two days, until it was finally launched on Saturday evening, 12 April. Another SpaceX Starlink Mission launched on Monday morning.
There are many surprising things about what happened last week. When SpaceX missed its reservation on the range twice on two days, 10 and 11 April, why didn't the Ula went back to the line?
Ula, which is usually quite transparent about its reasons for the launch scrub, did not reveal any technical problem with rockets that would have prevented another launch attempt. The Ula provides access to the audio channel of the team launched during the reverse count, and the engineers were not discussing any important technical issues.
The company's official statement after the scrub stated: “A new launch date will be announced if approved on the range.”
Also, why can Ula not score another run in launching the Kuper Mission this week? The answer to that question is also a mystery, but we have some educated speculation.
Changes in approach
A few days ago, Spacex postponed one of its own starlink missions without clarification from Cape Canaveral, leaving Florida Spaceport with a rare week without launch. SpaceX plans to launch from Florida early next week, with a re -recitation mission liftoff for the International Space Station. The delayed Starlink Mission will fly a few days later.
Meanwhile, the next launch attempt for Ula is unknown.
Ula President and CEO Tory Bruno wrote on X that questions about the questions about capturing the next Atlas V launch are the best directed towards space force. A ULA spokesperson told ARS that the company is still working with the range to set the next launch date. “Rockets and payloads are healthy,” he said. “We will announce the new launch date once confirmed.”