SpaceX targets Tuesday dawn launch for Bandwagon-5 rideshare after Monday weather scrub
SpaceX is attempting a predawn launch of the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, after scrubbing Monday’s attempt due to weather. The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying 32 payloads including the Starfall reentry capsule, is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral at 7:04 a.m. EDT. If successful, the pre-dawn timing may recreate the 'space jellyfish' atmospheric phenomenon seen during the October 13 CRS-35 mission, where sunlight illuminated rocket exhaust plumes across the U.S. East Coast. SpaceX reported a 95% chance of good launch weather, though Space Launch Delta 45 noted moderate risks in the booster recovery area. This launch marks the 60th from the Space Coast in 2026, with SpaceX accounting for all but seven of those flights.
