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3...2...1...Liftoff? Plans call for another test launch of a new rocket from the Central Coast

A Firfefly Aerospace Alpha rocket is being prepared for launch from the Central Coast.
Firefly Aerospace
A Firfefly Aerospace Alpha rocket is being prepared for launch from the Central Coast.

But, the major storm system moving into the region could disrupt the launch.

Plans call for another test launch of a cutting edge new rocket from the Central Coast this week.

Firefly Aerospace is planning to launch one of its Alpha rockets from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The current launch window is from 9:18 to 9:39 a.m. Wednesday morning. But, the storm moving into the region could potentially disrupt those plans. There are backup launch windows through Friday. The test calls for carrying an antenna into orbit.

This would be the fourth Alpha rocket test flight. During the last launch, the Firefly team conducted what was called a successful test of their ability to receive, and deploy a military payload into space on short notice.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral.