For the third consecutive day, the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has been thwarted by stormy conditions at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The rocket, holding 22 Starlink satellites ready to enhance global internet coverage, remains grounded amidst prolonging weather woes. Originally slated for Thursday, SpaceX has pushed back lift-off repeatedly, now halted by an aggressive spring rainstorm that has lashed the Santa Barbara County, leading to advisories including warnings for winds up to 50 mph and possible lightning strikes.

As reported by Noozhawk, the inclement weather forced a missed opportunity for a SpaceX hat trick, which, despite the setbacks in California, celebrated two successful Falcon 9 launches from Florida earlier the same day. A statement obtained by Noozhawk from SpaceX conveyed the cautious approach being taken: "Due to unfavorable weather, we are standing down from tonight's Falcon 9 launch of Starlink from California. Vehicle and payload remain healthy."

SpaceX emphasized its commitment to safety and quality assurance, indicating that monitoring weather conditions has been a priority as teams seek the next viable window for launch. With both the rocket and its payload in stable conditions, the company, as noted on 12News, is resolute in rescheduling, "Teams continue to keep an eye on the weather as they work toward the next best opportunity for liftoff – we will announce a new launch date once confirmed on the range."

While enthusiasts were hoping for the Saturday spectacle, with visibility anticipated in western Arizona, the deployment of the satellites to low-Earth orbit has to wait. Many eyes remain on the lingering storm, with a 50% chance of rain persisting through Sunday, potentially interfering with plans for the skies to clear. If the launch were just postponed, it was supposed to reschedule for Sunday before weather got in the way again.

The success of this mission is pivotal for SpaceX as it represents the 15th flight for the booster supporting this Starlink mission, marking a significant reuse milestone for the company. Once these satellites reach their orbit, at approximately 550 km from Earth, they join the largest satellite constellation aiming to provide high-speed internet globally. A future launch date remains uncertain, with SpaceX assuring a live webcast of the event will be available on their platform.