With seconds left before liftoff Sunday morning, the SpaceX team scrubbed a Falcon 9 rocket launch countdown at Vandenberg Space Force Base due to a wayward aircraft.
A crew member declared “hold, hold hold” with 11 seconds left in the countdown for the SpaceX rocket standing at Space Launch Complex-4.
“Held for a possible aircraft in the airspace,” according to a crew member.
Vandenberg issues notices warning aircraft pilots and mariners to avoid a swath of airspace and ocean for safety reasons when launches may occur.
The team now will aim for Falcon’s departure at 7:13 a.m. Monday, with backup opportunities available until 11:13 a.m.
If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available starting at 6:51 a.m. Tuesday.
The rocket will deliver 27 Starlink satellites into orbit.
After finishing its job, the first-stage booster will attempt to land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX said “residents of and visitors to Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.”
A live webcast of this mission, beginning about five minutes prior to liftoff, can be watched at www.spacex.com or on X @SpaceX.
