What: Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
When: Midnight to 4 a.m. Sunday, according to SpaceX. If needed, the team has backup opportunities during the same time period Monday.
“The timing is driven by orbital mechanics and ensures the vehicles reach the precise point in space required to execute mission objectives,” Vandenberg officials said.
Where: Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base.
Landing: The first-stage booster, making its inaugural flight, will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
“Based on Vandenberg SFB’s updated audibility modeling, residents of Carpinteria, Ojai, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Oxnard may hear a sonic boom approximately 8-10 minutes after launch, with the greatest likelihood of audibility in the Ojai and Santa Barbara areas,” Vandenberg officials said.
“Areas local to Vandenberg Space Force Base will hear the initial low rumble of take-off.”
Why: Deliver 28 satellites into orbit for the Starlink constellation.
Watch: A live webcast of the mission is scheduled to begin about five minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches and on X @SpaceX.
To watch the liftoff in person, the Lompoc Valley has multiple locations offering views of the launch pad. Those include the peak of Harris Grade Road, west of Lompoc’s city limits and around Vandenberg Village, including near the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads.
Vandenberg launches close to sunset or sunrise can be especially picturesque. If skies are clear, the rocket’s departure might be visible from elsewhere around California and, under certain conditions, other Western states.