SpaceX is postponing a Falcon 9 rocket launch to next week due to Hurricane Hilary.
Officials say the hurricane could impact recovery operations in the Pacific.
The launch is now scheduled for Monday, August 21 at 11:04 p.m.
If needed, four additional opportunities are available starting at 11:54 p.m. until 2:26 a.m. on August 22.
Four backup opportunities are also available on Tuesday, August 22 starting at 10:42 p.m. until 2:05 a.m. on August 23.
Due to Hurricane Hilary impacting recovery operations in the Pacific, we are standing down from tonight's Falcon 9 launch of @Starlink. Next launch opportunity is no earlier than Monday, August 21 → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 17, 2023
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UPDATES @ 3:40 a.m. :
Now targeting Friday, August 18 for Falcon 9's launch of @Starlink → https://t.co/plPnGyHJ7O
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 17, 2023
UPDATED @ 12 a.m. :
According to the SpaceX Website, the launch time has been moved to 3:30 a.m. on Thursday.
They will still be streaming it live on their website and on Youtube.
ORIGINAL SCRIPT:
SpaceX is targeting early Thursday morning for a Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Officials said the launch window will open at 12:01 a.m.
If the launch is successful, the rocket will carry 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit.
If needed, there are backup opportunities available at 12:51 a.m. and 3:23 a.m. Thursday and at 12:30 a.m. and 1:20 a.m. Friday.
A live broadcast of the launch will be available at this link 5 minutes before liftoff.
