This was not a day for space flight apparently, with the planned and often-delayed launch of a Terrier Malemute rocket also being scrubbed from its liftoff from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Elon Musk, SpaceX's CEO and founder, then chimed in on the possibility of seeing two SpaceX rockets launching in just a few days. Throughout the delays of BulgariaSat-1, the launch date of Iridium-2 has remain stoic and is still planned for June 25th, with a static fire on the 20th.
Earlier, Musk wrote that the BulgariaSat-1 launch delay was a safety precaution.
"Postponing launch to replace fairing pneumatic valve".
Both satellites will be launched on Falcon 9 rockets.
The next opportunities for that mission reportedly are June 23 or June 24.
"Iridium targeted for 6/25 - could be a weekend doubleheader", the company said via Twitter.
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Saturday was the hottest day of the year so far, and temperatures are expected to soar as the heatwave continues into next week. So-called "seasonal deaths" start to happen during temperatures above 25C, according to Public Heath England.
SpaceX did not offer specifics on a new launch time, Florida Today reported.
With a public acknowledgement that SpaceX is even willing to consider two launches within 48 hours, let alone officially schedule those launches with confidence, speculation of weekly launch cadence has been all but confirmed as a likely reality for SpaceX in the near future.
In early June, Iridium Next cprporate officials said all 10 Iridium Next communication satellites had arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base where they underwent processing in readiness for the June 25 Falcon rocket flight.
The Falcon flight will mark the first mission for new 30th Space Wing Commander Col. Michael Hough.
Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills with internships at NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. It was recovered from a January launch of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
SpaceX is also targeting Sunday for the launch of more Iridium NEXT satellites from Vandenberg.
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