SpaceX scrubs Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB, will try again Thursday

HAWTHORNE, Calif. (KABC) -- Citing strong winds, SpaceX postponed the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket that had been scheduled for Wednesday morning at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

The company says it will try again at 6:17 a.m. Thursday.

The rocket's payload includes two test satellites "for global broadband," according to SpaceX founder Elon Musk. "If successful, Starlink constellation will serve least served," he tweeted.

SpaceX's big new rocket blasted off Tuesday on its first test flight, carrying a red sports car aiming for an endless road trip past Mars.

Referring to the effect of Wednesday's winds on the rocket, Musk added: "Small, but better to be paranoid."

The planned launch has generated much anticipation among Southland residents, many of whom witnessed a spectacle on Dec. 22 when a Falcon 9 lifted off shortly after sunset. The rocket left an expanding plume in its wake that was brilliantly illuminated by sunlight.

A livestream of Thursday's takeoff can be seen on ABC7.com.