SpaceX 'Standing Down' From Launch of 60 More Starlink Satellites

One of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets slated to launch 60 additional Starlink internet satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was aborted due to a need for additional "mission assurance" on Thursday — with liftoff initially scheduled for 12:14 PM EDT, according to a tweet from the company.

The launch would have streamed live on SpaceX's YouTube channel (featured below), and the next launch window opportunity is Friday, Oct. 22, at 11:53 AM EDT.

This latest launch could have marked SpaceX's second Starlink mission of the week, happening while the company builds a megaconstellation to offer global high-speed internet capability to a wider population of the planet.

RELATED: SPACEX BUILDS 120 STARLINK SATELLITES, COSTS MILLIONS EACH MONTH

UPDATE Oct. 22, 12:17 PM EDT: SpaceX 'standing down' from Thursday's Starlink satellite launch

SpaceX abruptly aborted its scheduled launch of 60 more Starlink satellites on Thursday, citing a need for additional "mission assurance work," according to a tweet from the company.

Standing down from today's launch of Starlink to allow additional time for mission assurance work; will announce next launch opportunity once confirmed on the Range

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 22, 2020

The next launch opportunity will be announced soon on "the Range," continued the tweet — presumably referencing the next launch window on Friday, Oct. 22, at 11:53 AM EDT.

SpaceX scrubs launch of 60 more Starlink satellites

Thursday's launch of 60 additional Starlink internet satellites marks SpaceX's 15th Starlink mission. The Falcon 9 rocket would have lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station — but since it was delayed, we should look forward to the backup launch window aiming for Friday, Oct. 23 at 11:53 AM EDT.