What: Falcon 9 rocket launch at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County for the 75th liftoff of 2026 from the West Coast installation. Most of those missions have been Falcon rockets.

When: Between 6:49 p.m. and 10:49 p.m. Tuesday, according to SpaceX. If needed, the team has backup opportunities during a four-hour window starting at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday.

This mission had been aiming for a Monday departure, but officials announced the delay less than four hours before liftoff.

Where: Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base.

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

Why: Deliver a payload for the U.S. Space Force mission dubbed USSF-627. This is the latest in a series of Space Force payloads but the military has remained mum about the number of spacecraft and the purpose.  

Watch: A live webcast of the mission is scheduled to begin about 10 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.

Upcoming Launches: SpaceX plans additional Falcon rocket liftoffs from Vandenberg with military payloads late Nov. 13 or early Nov. 14 plus Nov. 17.

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