What: Falcon 9 rocket launch at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
When: Between 12:44 and 4:44 p.m. Friday, according to SpaceX, after the team initially aimed for a Thursday afternoon departure. If needed, they likely have backup opportunities Saturday.
Where: Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base.
Landing: The first-stage booster, making its 29th 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, launch-related noise may be audible along the Central Coast from Santa Maria to Oxnard, with a sonic boom most likely to be heard in Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Ventura,” base representatives said.
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.