The week of Aug. 10 opened with an extraordinary Monday, four launches across three countries in fewer than twelve hours. China launched first, but failed, with a Chang Zheng 7A carrying an undisclosed payload from Wenchang. The vehicle exploded during first stage flight.
A SpaceX launch with Starlink Group 10-19 from Cape Canaveral was set to follow before it was scrubbed for 24 hours. Japan’s H3 is set to loft the satellite that completes its Michibiki navigation constellation from Tanegashima, and LandSpace closes the day with its second attempt to recover ZhuQue-3.
Three more Falcon 9 flights fill the back half of the week, including a classified mission from Vandenberg and Globalstar’s long-awaited first constellation refresh from the Cape. Seven launches are on the manifest, spanning three countries and four vehicles.