SpaceX Targets Bandwagon-5 Launch With Starfall Capsule and 32 Payloads

SpaceX is targeting Monday, October 19, for a Falcon 9 launch of the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission carries 32 payloads, including cubesats, microsats, and reentry vehicles, according to SpaceX. The launch window opens at 6:30 a.m. ET, with a backup opportunity on Tuesday, October 20.

Mission Payloads and Reentry Vehicles

The Bandwagon-5 mission features SpaceX’s Starfall capsule, a reentry vehicle designed for microgravity research. SpaceX first debuted Starfall in June. Zachary Luppen, an avionics supply chain engineer at SpaceX, stated during the June 23 broadcast, "SpaceX has developed a new spacecraft called Starfall, which at its core is a microgravity lab researchers and entrepreneurs can leverage to develop their products and innovations."

According to a Federal Aviation Administration environmental assessment, the Starfall vehicle is about 0.75 meters (2.5 feet) tall, 3.1 meters (10.2 feet) in diameter, and has a mass of about 2,100 kilograms (4,600 pounds). The FAA noted that a single Starfall capsule can support up to 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of payload mass. SpaceX did not state what payloads were onboard this specific Starfall mission.

Also onboard is Varda Space Industries’ W-Series 7 spacecraft, a reentry capsule focused on pharmaceutical research. Varda states on its website that W-7 features the cancer drug Protac and will study whether microgravity can improve its solubility. "In microgravity, molecules can crystallize differently than they do on Earth, potentially producing crystal forms with improved properties, including better solubility," Varda wrote. "If successful, the experiment could help turn powerful protein-degrading molecules into more practical and effective cancer treatments."

Booster History and Weather Conditions

The mission will use Falcon 9 first stage booster B1085. This will be the 19th flight for the booster, which previously launched Crew-9, RRT-1, Firefly Blue Ghost Mission 1, Fram2, SXM-10, MTG-S1, EchoStar XXV, SXM-11, and 10 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage is scheduled to land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean.

The 45th Weather Squadron forecast a 55 percent chance for acceptable weather during the launch window. The squadron noted that a cold front along southern Florida would bring gusty winds "approaching constraints" to launch. There is also a moderate to high risk that weather at the recovery site for the first stage booster will not be acceptable.

Deployment Schedule

Exolaunch manifested 20 of the 31 customer payloads. These include HawkEye 360 satellites, Iceye communications satellites, and Xona Space Systems navigation satellites. Other payloads include the Starburst-1 demo mission from Portal Space Systems Inc., a 260 kg spacecraft designed for orbital maneuvers. Portal states that this first demonstration is "fully funded by Portal to prove capability ahead of customer missions," with customer flights advertised as starting in 2027.

Why it matters

The Bandwagon-5 mission highlights the growing commercial market for rideshare launches and specialized reentry vehicles. The inclusion of multiple reentry capsules, such as SpaceX’s Starfall and Varda’s W-7, indicates increasing demand for returning microgravity research and manufactured goods to Earth. The mission also demonstrates the reuse of Falcon 9 boosters, with B1085 flying for the 19th time, a key factor in reducing launch costs.

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Sources

• spacex.com: SpaceX - Bandwagon-5 Mission
• spaceflightnow.com: Live coverage: SpaceX to launch Starfall reentry capsule, 31 customer payloads on Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission – Spaceflight Now

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.