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Evening SpaceX Launch Set at VSFB; No Livestream Planned | Local News | Noozhawk

By Janene Scully
From Noozhawk

Evening SpaceX Launch Set at VSFB; No Livestream Planned | Local News | Noozhawk

A Falcon 9 rocket could launch as soon as Wednesday night from Vandenberg Space Force Base -- to place more Starlink satellites into orbit -- but again apparently won't have a livestream leading up to liftoff.

The two-stage rocket's departure from Space Launch Complex-4 reportedly will occur between 4:04 p.m. and 8:04 p.m. Wednesday, according SpaceX.

Sources told Noozhawk they believe the liftoff is aiming 7:06 p.m.

Both SpaceX and Vandenberg representatives have only released 4-hour windows for this and two other missions, without explaining the reason for the change.

Countdowns can be delayed for a number of reasons, including unfavorable weather, technical troubles, or the team falling behind in completing pre-launch chores.

Typically for Starlink launches, the first-stage booster lands on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific Ocean several hundred miles away from Vandenberg.

This will be the 12th flight for the first-stage booster employed for this mission to deliver 20 Starlink satellites, 13 of which have direct-to-cell capabilities, SpaceX said.

The mission will help SpaceX continue to grow its constellation to provide internet access around the world, including in areas where land-based service remains unavailable or unreliable.

SpaceX also intends to added limited cellphone service via Starlink, starting with texts.

For the past two Falcon flights, SpaceX inexplicably provided a limited livestream, only beginning the broadcast after the rockets had left the launch site at Vandenberg.

Once again, the SpaceX announcement Wednesday lacks a link for livestream of the final minutes of the countdown and liftoff.

Meanwhile, livestreams have continued for the Falcon launches from Florida.

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