SpaceX scrubs Bandwagon-5 launch over poor weather, now targets today: How to watch live

SpaceX’s anticipated launch attempt of the Bandwagon-5 mission has now been scrubbed because of poor weather. Commenting on this, SpaceX wrote on X that the company is “now targeting no earlier than Tuesday, October 20, for Falcon 9’s launch of the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission from Florida due to unfavorable recovery weather conditions.” The flight’s 32-payload manifest includes two return capsules, one developed by SpaceX called Starfall and the other by Varda called W-7. 

According to SpaceX, unfavorable weather conditions in the booster recovery zone prompted the launch delay, as the Falcon 9’s first stage was scheduled to land there after liftoff. The launch is set to take place from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The revised one-hour launch window opens at 6:30 a.m. EDT, with a backup opportunity scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, at the same time.

What is Bandwagon-5 and how to watch it live?

Bandwagon-5 is a rideshare mission in which several customers share one rocket. This mission includes payloads, such as cubesats, microsats, and reentry vehicles. The first two are small satellites. To watch the event live, viewers can head to SpaceX’s official website or check the company’s X account at @SpaceX. SpaceX's webcast will start about 15 minutes before liftoff.

The 45th Weather Squadron, which provides timely weather forecasts, has now given the window a 90 percent chance of acceptable weather. With favorable weather, the B1085 booster will head into its 19th flight. Nearly nine minutes after liftoff, it will try to land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas. This would also bring the droneship’s landing count to 167, and the Falcon boosters would reach 672 landings in total. 

What is Starfall, SpaceX's returning capsule?

Among the mission’s cargo is a payload called Starfall. It is an uncrewed SpaceX capsule built to fly to orbit and then re-enter the atmosphere. It first flew in June, and this will be its second flight. During the June 23 broadcast, SpaceX avionics supply chain engineer Zachary Luppen said, "SpaceX has developed a new spacecraft called Starfall, which at its core is a microgravity lab researchers and entrepreneurs can leverage to develop their products and innovations."

He added, "As we have seen demonstrated on the International Space Station, there is a huge opportunity to benefit life here on Earth through microgravity research and in-space manufacturing." The Federal Aviation Administration's environmental assessment notes that the capsule is about 2.5 feet tall and 10.2 feet wide. It weighs roughly 4,600 pounds, with room for up to 2,200 pounds of payload.

Which other payloads are on board?

Apart from Starfall, Varda Space Industries is sending its W-7 capsule. It will carry the cancer drug Protac. "If successful, the experiment could help turn powerful protein-degrading molecules into more practical and effective cancer treatments," Varda wrote on its website. Additionally, Portal Space Systems will send Starburst-1 (a 260 kg spacecraft). The company calls the flight "fully funded by Portal to prove capability ahead of customer missions," with customer flights advertised from 2027. Exolaunch has also arranged 20 of the other 31 payloads.

More on Starlust

• Watch: SpaceX launches 21 military satellites for U.S. Space Force after a five-day delay

• SpaceX launches next-gen Blue Bird satellites aboard Falcon 9 as AST grows its network