SpaceX Aims for Wednesday Launch After Multiple Delays at Vandenberg

After repeated postponements, SpaceX is targeting a Wednesday evening liftoff of its Falcon 9 rocket from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base. The mission, designated Starlink 17-4, aims to deploy 24 internet satellites into low-Earth orbit and follows three previous launch attempts that occurred since August 9th.

The delays have caused uncertainty for those hoping to witness the event, which is a notable occurrence for Southern California’s spaceflight activity. The Falcon 9 rocket, standing at 230 feet tall and representing one of the world’s most frequently utilized vehicles, will lift off within a four-hour window beginning at 8:44 p.m. Pacific Time. A live stream of the launch is expected to be available on SpaceX’s website roughly five minutes prior to liftoff, with further updates potentially appearing on X (formerly Twitter).

The reasons behind the initial postponements have not been publicly disclosed. Officials from Vandenberg Space Force Base directed inquiries regarding the delays to SpaceX.

Beyond the Starlink 17-4 mission, SpaceX had initially planned a second deployment, designated Starlink 17-5, later in the same week. Although an official launch date has yet to be announced on the company’s website, tracking sites suggest a potential liftoff for this mission on Friday, August 15th, with a possible window opening at 8:44 a.m. PT. This subsequent launch also lacks formal confirmation from Vandenberg and is not currently included in an FAA advisory.

Several other Starlink missions are slated for the remainder of August, including launches on August 19th (Starlink 17-6), August 21st (Starlink 17-7), and August 24th (Bandwagon 4).

Due to its status as an active military installation, Vandenberg Space Force Base does not offer public viewing areas. However, under favorable weather conditions, rocket launches can often be observed from locations across Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties. Designated viewpoints include intersections along the coast and in Lompoc. The city of Lompoc’s tourism bureau provides a detailed list of accessible viewing spots, including Ocean Park and Allan Hancock College, offering varying degrees of visibility to the launch site.