SpaceX scrubs Vandenberg Falcon 9 Starlink launch three days in a row

SpaceX called off the launch of 27 Starlink internet satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California for a third consecutive day on Thursday. Spaceflight Now reported that the launch director called a hold in the final seconds of the countdown because of poor weather. The next launch window for the Falcon 9 rocket opens at 2:30 p.m. PDT on Friday, October 23. [1]

The latest delay follows two earlier scrubs on the same mission. According to Spaceflight Now, a launch attempt on Tuesday was called off due to a technical issue, while bad weather stopped the countdown on Wednesday. As FTMQ Space reported earlier, the uncrewed mission was originally rescheduled to launch from Space Launch Complex 4E after the initial Tuesday delay. [1][8]

When the mission flies, SpaceX will use the Falcon 9 first stage booster B1063, Spaceflight Now reported. The flight will mark the booster's 36th launch, making it the second Falcon 9 first stage to reach three dozen flights. [1]

The satellites will join the Starlink constellation, which operates in low Earth orbit to provide global satellite internet access. Vandenberg Space Force Base, located in Santa Barbara County, hosts military, civil, and commercial space launches on the Western Range. [4][5]