---
title: "SpaceX Delays Launch Because of the Coronavirus"
description: "After an Air Force base declared a public health emergency, the SpaceX mission scheduled to launch from there on March 30 is on \"indefinite\" hold."
date: "2020-03-24"
modified: "2020-03-24"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-delays-launch-coronavirus"
categories:
  - "Health & Medicine"
  - "Medical"
  - "Pathogens"
  - "Space"
  - "SpaceX"
  - "Viruses"
tags:
  - "coronavirus"
  - "covid19"
  - "SpaceX"
  - "the digest"
---

# SpaceX Delays Launch Because of the Coronavirus

![After an Air Force base declared a public health emergency, the SpaceX mission scheduled to launch from there on March 30 is on "indefinite" hold.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/spacex-delays-launch-coronavirus.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: SpaceX\</em\>*

## Grounded

Though SpaceX has [still been launching rockets](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/astronomer-spacex-satellite-swarm-visible-naked-eye>) during the coronavirus pandemic, the company is now facing delays for an upcoming Air Force mission.

SpaceX was supposed to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force base in California on March 30, but now the mission is on "indefinite" hold, [according to *TechCrunch*](<https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/24/spacex-encounters-first-launch-delay-due-to-coronavirus/>). The base declared a public health emergency over the weekend to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak from occurring there — throwing a wrench into SpaceX's plans.

## Houston, Problem

SpaceX isn't the first space organization to suffer due to the pandemic. Last week, NASA instructed its employees to [work from home](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/nasa-astronauts-spread-coronavirus-space-station>) if possible.

And both NASA and Russia's Roscosmos may enact stricter preventative measures, like extended quarantines, for any crewmembers going to space.

## Outlook Hazy

It's not clear when things will get back on track for the space industry.

There's a lot still up in the air, according to *TechCrunch*: Vandenberg Air Force base declared that public health emergency and restricted most staff's access, but hasn't yet announced how long that will last.

**READ MORE:** [SpaceX encounters first launch delay due to coronavirus](<https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/24/spacex-encounters-first-launch-delay-due-to-coronavirus/>) \[*TechCrunch*\]

**More on SpaceX:** *[Astronomer: SpaceX Satellite Swarm Will Be Visible With Naked Eye](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/astronomer-spacex-satellite-swarm-visible-naked-eye>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)