The Supermoon and SpaceX Launch on Space Coast
On Wednesday night, SpaceX successfully launched its mission as the full supermoon rose over the Space Coast, while United Launch Alliance (ULA) had to scrub its launch attempt and planned to try again on Thursday.
Launch Attempts and Supermoon Timing
SpaceX has conducted most launches this year, and ULA aimed to complete two launches on Wednesday to tie the annual record for orbital missions from the Space Coast. These events coincided with the year's biggest supermoon rising at 5:41 p.m.
Both rockets, SpaceX's Falcon 9 and ULA's Atlas V, were positioned less than two miles apart at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station earlier that day before the moonrise.
Details on the Supermoon
November’s supermoon, also called the Beaver Moon by the Farmer’s Almanac, was the second of three supermoons this year and the closest to Earth at under 222,000 miles.
According to NASA, "Its proximity is what makes it a supermoon, which can look up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the faintest full moon of the year."
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch
Following moonrise, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 8:30 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 40 to deploy 29 Starlink satellites, marking a successful mission for the company.
Falcon 9 launches 29 @Starlink satellites from Florida pic.twitter.
ULA Launch Reschedule
ULA's Atlas V launch was scrubbed on Wednesday night and rescheduled for Thursday at 10:16 p.m.
Summary
The November supermoon provided a spectacular backdrop for SpaceX’s successful launch, while ULA had to postpone its attempt to the following day, highlighting a significant moment for space activity on the Space Coast.
Author’s Summary
The supermoon illuminated the night as SpaceX launched successfully, while ULA postponed its launch to the next day, underscoring a busy and record-chasing time for Space Coast space missions.