Enlarge / The Falcon 9 rocket for Saturday’s Iridium NEXT launch is shown on the pad Friday morning. (credit: SpaceX)

On Saturday, SpaceX will attempt to launch its Falcon 9 rocket for the first time since a fueling accident on Sept. 1, 2016, which destroyed the booster and its satellite payload on the launch pad. The instantaneous launch window for Saturday’s attempt opens at 12:54pm ET, with liftoff occurring from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

After a rather quick investigation into the September accident, in which SpaceX concluded that one of three composite overwrapped pressure vessels inside the rocket’s second stage liquid oxygen tank failed, the company has modified the fueling process. By taking a slower approach with its load and go fueling method, SpaceX expects to put less stress on the pressure vessels.

During SpaceX’s last successful mission, the launch of JCSAT-16 in August, fueling of kerosene and liquid oxygen both began 35 minutes before launch. Now the company says kerosene loading will begin 70 minutes before launch, with liquid oxygen fueling beginning at 45 minutes prior.