What: Falcon 9 rocket launch at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

When: 11:49 p.m. Thursday, according to SpaceX. If needed, the team has backup opportunities starting at 11:31 p.m. Friday.

Where: Space Launch Complex-4 on the South Base.

Landing: More than seven minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster, making its fourth flight, is expected to return to Landing Zone 4, just west of the launch site. A sonic boom is possible in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties but will depend on weather and other conditions, SpaceX said.

Why: Deliver satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office for a mission dubbed NROL-57.

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 and landing 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.