What: Falcon 9 rocket launch at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

When: Between 8:37 and 11:37 a.m. Thursday, according to SpaceX. If needed, the team has backup opportunities during a three-hour window opening at 8:23 a.m.

Where: Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base.

Landing: The first-stage booster, making its 27th flight, will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship positioned in the Pacific Ocean.

Why: Deliver the U.S. Space Force payload dubbed USSF-153. The purpose of the payload remains classified so the details such as the planned deployment remain hush-hush.

Watch: A live webcast of the mission is scheduled to begin about 10 minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches and on X @SpaceX. Due to the classified payload, the webcast will end after first-stage booster lands and avoid showing deployment.

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.

Upcoming Launches: SpaceX plans additional Falcon rocket liftoffs from Vandenberg on Sept. 15 for the USSF-259 mission and on Sept. 20 for a Starlink payload delivery.

Launches can get delayed for a number of reasons including technical troubles with the rocket, payload or support equipment; unfavorable weather; and scheduling issues.