For a second day, the remnants of Tropical Storm Mario forced the team at Vandenberg Space Force Base to delay the planned launch of a Falcon rocket for at least another 24 hours. 

SpaceX next will attempt to launch the rocket between 8:41 a.m. and 12:41 p.m. Friday. 

Once it departs, the rocket will carry 24 Starlink satellites into orbit.

Rain alone doesn’t pause a countdown, but related features including winds at the ground and upper levels can violate rules for launching rockets. 

Additionally, clouds that can trigger lightning as the rocket travels will force a postponement. 

Malingering Mario’s remnants are expected to bring scattered thunderstorms to the area through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

A Thursday launch would have coincided with the 78th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force as a separate branch of the military equal to the Army and Navy.

The delays likely will force the postponement of the next launch that had been planned for Sunday morning to put a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office in space.

The NRO mission will include the first-stage booster’s planned landing at Vandenberg.

A live webcast of the Starlink mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff and can be watched at spacex.com and on X @SpaceX.