A glitch involving ground system equipment has delayed the final launch of 2025 from Vandenberg Space Force Base at least a day.
“Standing down from today’s launch of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission to troubleshoot a ground systems issue,” SpaceX representatives said Saturday.
The team now will target liftoff at 6:08 p.m. Sunday from Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base.
For this mission, the rocket will deliver the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation FM satellite to low-Earth orbit in support of the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence.
Both the rocket and its payload remain healthy, SpaceX said after scrubbing the liftoff attempt.
Earlier Saturday, SpaceX said the team was watching weather amid concerns that windy conditions would interfere with the liftoff plans.
Once the rocket does depart, the first-stage booster, making its 21st flight, will return to land at Vandenberg approximately eight minutes after liftoff.
The landing likely will generate sonic booms that may be heard in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties depending on weather and atmospheric conditions.
A live webcast of the mission is scheduled to begin about 15 minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches and on X @SpaceX.
To watch the liftoff in person, the Lompoc Valley has multiple locations offering views of the launch pad. Those include the peak of Harris Grade Road, west of Lompoc’s city limits and around Vandenberg Village, including near the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads.
Vandenberg launches close to sunset or sunrise can be especially picturesque. If skies are clear, the rocket’s departure might be visible from elsewhere around California and, under certain conditions, other Western states.