Watch as SpaceX test-fires Falcon 9 ahead of Starlink launch (members only)

The launch of a NASA satellite to study the behavior of plasma in Earth’s ionosphere has been delayed to early next year, giving engineers time to resolve concerns with the separation system on its air-launched Pegasus XL booster.

Joining the video podcast on Friday, April 19, in this episode were Marina Koren, staff writer for The Atlantic, and Jack Kuhr, research editor for Payload Space.

The Starlink 6-82 represents SpaceX’s 580th launch of a Falcon 9 rocket to date. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened Monday, Dec. 15, at 12:25 a.m. EST (0525 UTC).