The launch of five NASA satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket now will aim for Monday night at Vandenberg Space Force Base after the missions have experienced a number of delays.

Liftoff of the two-stage rocket from Space Launch Complex-4 will occur no earlier than 8:10 p.m. Monday, officials said Sunday night.

The planned launch of the SpaceX rocket will occur an hour later than previous attempts due to the arrival of Daylight Saving Time on Sunday.

The launch weather officer forecast calls for a 30% chance of favorable weather with thick clouds being the key concern for Monday’s attempt.

Departure times for rockets depend upon orbital mechanics and where the satellites need to be placed in space.

Once its part of the flight is finished, the rocket’s first-stage booster, making its third trip, will return to Vandenberg about eight minutes after leaving, touching down west of Falcon 9 rocket’s launch pad.

That means residents in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties may hear sonic booms.

In the past two weeks, the team has encountered a series of troubles that bedeviled efforts to get the rocket off the ground and place the satellites in space.

Officials outlined some of the challenges, including technical troubles, weather and scheduling due to other Vandenberg activities, during a press conference Friday.

They did not provide details about the latest issue responsible for delaying a planned Saturday liftoff.

When it ultimately lifts off, the Vandenberg rocket is set to deliver the satellite known as SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer). The space telescope will map the universe seeking signs of key ingredients for life in the galaxy.

Also hitching a ride will be the PUNCH mission (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) with four suitcase-size satellites. The quartet of craft will observe the sun’s corona as it transitions into the solar wind, which can affect power grids and communication systems on Earth.

This could be a busy launch week at the Vandenberg where SpaceX intends to launch the Transporter-13 mission and Firefly Aerospace could see its Alpha rocket blast off. 

To watch the NASA satellites’ liftoff and booster landing in person, the Lompoc Valley has multiple locations offering views of the launch pad. 

Those sites include the peak of Harris Grade Road, Ocean Avenue west of Lompoc’s city limits, and around Vandenberg Village, including near the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads.

The SPHEREx and PUNCH live launch broadcast will stream live, starting at 7:15 p.m., at NASA+ and NASA’s YouTube channel.