SpaceX is targeting a rocket launch tonight from California – and you can watch the action live.
Once again the commercial spaceflight company's Falcon 9 rocket is due for liftoff at the Vandenberg Space Force Base on a mission to deploy Starlink internet satellites in space.
Those in California may easily be able to see the rocket in person. Otherwise, SpaceX will have you covered with a livestream
of the mission on its website.Here's everything to know about the latest SpaceX mission, and how to watch a webcast of the Falcon 9 launching in Santa Barbara County.
Is there a rocket launch today? Next liftoff from California
SpaceX is working toward a Tuesday, Aug. 11, launch from Southern California, with a four-hour
launch window opening at 7 p.m. PT, according to a launch alert. The launch will take place from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed.
What is launching from Vandenberg? Falcon 9 to deploy Starlink satellites
SpaceX will launch its famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world's most active, to deliver 24 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, an altitude nearer Earth's atmosphere where they're able to circle the planet quickly.
How to watch SpaceX launch livestream
Californians, of course, have plenty of opportunities to see a rocket in person both near the launch site as it lifts off, and farther away as it soars overhead.
But SpaceX also provides a live webcast of its missions for those who prefer to watch from home or for those viewing the launch locally and looking for updates in real-time.
As with most SpaceX missions, the launch will be available to stream on the company's website and its new X TV mobile app, beginning about 10 minutes before liftoff. SpaceX may also provide updates on social media site X.
Photos of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in California, US
Does Elon Musk own SpaceX? What to know about rocket company
SpaceX is the commercial spaceflight company that billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man, founded in 2002 and leads as the CEO.
SpaceX is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city.
As a major government contractor, SpaceX serves as the launch service provider for a variety of government missions both civil and military.
For the Department of Defense, SpaceX's Falcon 9 helps launch classified satellites and other payloads into space. And for NASA, Falcon 9 most oftenhelps propel astronauts to theInternational Space Station on SpaceX's Dragon crew capsule – the only U.S vehiclecapable of carrying NASA astronauts to orbit.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is SpaceX's internet satellite business.
With more than 10,000 satellites in its growing orbital constellation,Starlink has become a lucrative part of Musk's business empire, serving millions of customers around the world.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: SpaceX to livestream next Vandenberg rocket launch. How to watch
