A Falcon 9 rocket filled with an assortment of satellites will make a daylight departure before the first-stage booster returns to land at Vandenberg Space Force Base Tuesday morning.
Liftoff of the SpaceX rocket will occur during a 27-minute opening at 10:49 a.m. from Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base, officials said Monday.
If needed, a backup opportunity exists during the same time period Wednesday.
The rocket will deliver the latest rideshare mission known as Transporter-12, made up of multiple small spacecraft for a variety of customers.
About eight minutes after liftoff, Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Vandenberg, touching down at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4), just west of the liftoff location.
A return to the landing site means residents in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties may hear a sonic boom signaling the first-stage booster’s return as the vehicle breaks the sound barrier en route back to Vandenberg.
Sonic booms stem from the shock waves created by an aircraft or launch vehicle traveling faster than the speed of sound. The booms have been likened to an explosion or a clap of thunder, but sound at various locations can depend on weather conditions and other factors.
Vandenberg has restricted access, but several locations around the Lompoc Valley provide views of the launch and landing sites, which are south of West Ocean Avenue/Highway 246.
The locations include west of Lompoc on Ocean Avenue/Highway 246 and near the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads. Providence Landing Park, at 699 Mercury Ave. in Vandenberg Village, also is a popular gathering spot.
A live webcast of the mission is scheduled to begin about 10 minutes before liftoff, and can be watched at the SpaceX website and on X @SpaceX.