SpaceX set to break record for fastest turn around time on an orbital rocket.

If Falcon 9 booster 1058 can launch before July 23rd SpaceX will smash another record in the space history books.

Just a few hours after the scrub of SpaceX booster 1051, the booster in question is already poised to do exactly that after having a static fire test on pad SLC-40 at Canaveral Air Force Station on Saturday July, 11th 2020. Launching on May 30 this is the same first stage booster that sent astronauts Bob Behnken, and Doug Hurley to space, the first U.S. crewed launch since 2011.

(Booster 1058 before arriving in port after the DM-2 launch)

Most notable about booster 1058 is the NASA "worm" logo painted on one side. The logo had not been used officially by NASA since the early 90's and was a welcome, exciting site for NASA fans everywhere watching in anticipation of that flight. I'm told however that the "worm" logo will be cleaned off and the regular SpaceX logo will be in place, mirroring the opposite side and all the other SpaceX first stage boosters.

Looking to launch July 14th, with a launch window starting at 5:00 PM EST booster 1058 will be carrying the Anasis-II? K-MilSatCom 1, a military satellite for South Korea. This would be a mere 43 days turnaround time for reusing an orbital class rocket. The record is currently held by Space Shuttle Atlantis at 54 days. This was between the STS-51-J, and STS-61-B launches back in 1985. STS-51-J was also the very first launch of Shuttle Atlantis Departing Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 3rd of that year and landing in Edwards Air Force Base four days later in California.

(The upper part of the booster showing the NASA "meatball" logo and serial number 58)

As of now, July 12th, the weather is forecasted to give only a 40-60% chance of lift off due to weather constrictions. The previous launch, with booster 1051 has now been delayed three times, two of which were due to poor weather conditions, and the most recent attempt so the company could continue further checks on the rocket, with no confirmed target date of the next launch attempt. The Florida weather this month has been stormy and unpredictable so keep your fingers crossed we get a launch this week.