SpaceX scrubs launch of Elon Musk's controversial Starlink mission once again

Space internet project has faced heavy criticism from the astronomy community

SpaceX's plan to deliver 60 more Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit was delayed on Monday, 5 October (SpaceX)

SpaceX has once again scrubbed the launch of its latest Starlink mission.

It was the fourth attempt to deliver a batch of 60 satellites into low-Earth orbit as part of Elon Musk’s controversial plan to beam high-speed internet down to Earth.

“We are standing down from today’s Starlink mission due to weather violations on the Range,” SpaceX tweeted. 

“The team is setting up for a launch opportunity at 7.29am EDT [12.29pm BST]; weather forecast is 70 per cent favourable for liftoff.”

The latest launch will bring the total number of Starlink satellites in orbit close to 800, with thousands more planned for 2021.

The satellite constellation has faced heavy criticism from the astronomy community, who claim that they interfere with observations.

In August, hundreds of astronomers warned that Starlink’s network could prove “extremely impactful” to science programs and hinder scientific progress.