Several months after SpaceX's unmanned Falcon rocket exploded on its way to the International Space Station, Elon Musk's space flight company is now poised to launch a new spacecraft on Monday at 8:29 p.m. ET. The date was moved from the original Dec. 20 schedule.
The change in schedule for the SpaceX launch is attributed to the need for a better weather. This is more to ensure better landing chances rather than a liftoff concern. Monday's weather forecast holds an 80 percent chance of acceptable weather, according to Ars Technica.
"Stratocumulus clouds from gusty onshore flow are currently blanketing the spaceport," forecasters at the U.S. Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron announced in a weather outlook Sunday afternoon, Space Flight Now reported."This onshore wind direction has also moderated temperatures and is creating some very light coastal showers."
Aside from supplies, the SpaceX Falcon rocket will carry communication satellites into space. The Falcon rocket is expected to successfully complete its mission, particularly since it is an upgraded version of its predecessor. The orbital rocket will try a safe landing and if it succeeds, it will be a first for SpaceX and perhaps top the VTOL landing that Blue Origin achieved several weeks ago. Elon Musk's company has so far failed in its previous attempts.
The SpaceX launch is widely anticipated not only because it is seen as a bid to make up for the previous launch failure, but for redemption, a successful landing that can change space flight and a successful cargo mission.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk seems on top of the operations as indicated by his Twitter post.
Just reviewed mission params w SpaceX team. Monte Carlo runs show tmrw night has a 10% higher chance of a good landing. Punting 24 hrs.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 20, 2015
