A weekend afternoon rocket launch could see a SpaceX Falcon 9 get off the ground from California on a secretive military mission.
Late in the week, the commercial spaceflight company unveiled that it would be serving as the launch provider on a mission for the U.S. Space Force due for liftoff at the Vandenberg Space Force Base
. Few details have been released about the mission, which is referred to as USSF-366.But regardless of what's on board the two-stage rocket, the Falcon 9 should look just as striking as ever to spectators eager to catch a glimpse of it from the ground. And while the payload is a mystery, SpaceX will still broadcast a livestream of the mission to the public.
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 mission from California
SpaceX is working toward a Saturday, Aug. 15, launch from Southern California, with a four-hour launch window opening at 2:52 p.m. PT. 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's the launch? SpaceX to conduct classified Space Force mission
The next launch from Vandenberg is a classified mission known as USSF-366 for the U.S. Space Force. Multiple spaceflight outlets have reported that the mission could be the delivery of a batch of military satellites that will operate in low-Earth orbit – a region closer to Earth's atmosphere.
SpaceX's famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world's most active, will launch the payload to space.
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 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
Where is the booster landing? What to know about booster re-entry
Following the launch, the Falcon 9 rocket's booster will aim to land on a SpaceX drone ship, nicknamed "Of Course I Still Love You," in the Pacific Ocean. This allows for SpaceX personnel to recover the booster so it can be reused in future spaceflights.
Will there be sonic booms?
Residents of Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County often stand to be the most likely to hear sonic booms, SpaceX said.
The sonic booms – brief, thunder-like noises that are often heard from the ground when a spacecraft or aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound – could last for up to 10 minutes after liftoff, Vandenberg has added.
That's because the booster falls back through the atmosphere still traveling at supersonic speeds and, as it slows down, generates shock waves that sound like one or more loud booms on the ground.
Meanwhile, "areas local to Vandenberg Space Force Base will hear the initial low rumble of take-off," Vandenberg also warns before launches.
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: Watch as SpaceX launches rocket on classified mission in California
