With the Federal Aviation Administration granting permission to proceed, SpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base Friday night or Saturday morning. 

Liftoff of the 21 Starlink satellites will occur from Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base. 

The first opportunity will aim for 9:58 p.m. Friday, with backup opportunities available until 1:48 a.m.

SpaceX had to pause Falcon 9 launches after a first-stage booster toppled upon landing on a droneship following liftoff from Florida earlier this week. It was the 23rd launch and landing for the first-stage booster used in that mission which delivered the Starlink satellites as planned.

The company postponed a West Coast launch set to occur hours later.

The FAA said it would require an investigation into the mishap that left the rocket component crumpled.

“The SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation of the anomaly during the Starlink Group 8-6 mission remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.” 

SpaceX made the return-to-flight request on Thursday and the FAA gave approval on Friday. 

The first-stage booster involved in the Vandenberg flight has completed eight previous flights.  

After the ninth mission, it’s scheduled to land on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean. 

The firm announced Friday evening it would have back-to-back launches from the two coasts with the Florida liftoff aiming for 12:43 a.m. PDT Saturday.

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