Is there a rocket launch today? Why SpaceX launches have been paused in California

Southern Californians accustomed to seeing (or hearing) loud spacecraft thundering into the sky may be wondering why it's been so quiet lately at the Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Nearly two weeks have gone by without a rocket launch from the Santa Barbara County spaceport – an unusual duration for an active launch site that typically oversees about one or two liftoffs a week.

So, what's the deal?

Vandenberg Space Force Base: 4 things to know about site of California rocket launches

Here's what California residents and space enthusiasts should know about the pause in launch activity from Vandenberg, which – rest assured – is temporary, officials say.

When is the next California rocket launch? Why missions from Vandenberg paused

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 20 Starlink V2 Mini satellites launches June 23, 2024 from Space Launch Complex at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The rocket can be seen over the Pacific Ocean from Encinitas, California.

Multiple websites dedicated to tracking rocket launch schedules list a bevy of upcoming spaceflights, but none anytime soon for the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Califiornia.

That may sound strange for a spaceport where rocket launches are only becoming more and more common. But turns out, it's not an oversight.

What gives?

Well, it's all part of a "scheduled pause" due to routine maintenance at Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E,) a spokesperson for Space Launch Delta 30, which manages launch operations, confirmed to the USA TODAY Network.

The complex is home to the launch pad where SpaceX routinely launches its Falcon 9 rockets to deliver Starlink satellites into orbit.

When was the last SpaceX rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California?

Sept. 14, 2021: Launched from Vandenberg Space Force Station in California on Monday night, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket appears over the Victor Valley.

SpaceX conducted all six of the rocket launches in June from the Vandenberg Space Force Base – all but one of which was a Starlink mission.

On June 23, the commercial spaceflight companyfounded by billionaire Elon Musk launched Transporter 14 – a rideshare mission to deliver 70 payloads for paying customers into orbit. Most prominently, the Falcon 9 transported a spacecraft carrying the remains of 166 individuals for Houston company Celestis' most recent memorial spaceflight.

The mission was followed June 28 by SpaceX's final Starlink orbital delivery mission of the month.

When will rocket launches resume in Southern California?

The next Starlink mission from Vandenberg may be targeted for liftoff as early as Sunday, July 13, multiple rocket launch trackers show. However, the mission was not yet noted in a Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisoryas of Wednesday, July 9.

Interestingly, as of July 9, a SpaceX rocket launch was scheduled for July 13 on the East Coast − a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will deliver more Starlink satellites into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Neither Vandenberg nor SpaceX have officially confirmed when launches will resume.

The USA TODAY Network left a message Wednesday, July 9, seeking more information.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Next California rocket launch? About 'scheduled pause' at Vandenberg