SpaceX is planning to launch its Falcon 9 rocket on what would be the 70th rocket launch of 2026 in California.
The commercial spaceflight company is targeting liftoff this week for a classified mission contracted by the U.S. Space Force at the Vandenberg Space Force Base. Targeted for the afternoon, the launch would bring California within one liftoff
of tying the 2025 record of 71 launches within a year.If the schedule holds, that record-breaking mission is now on tap for Oct. 24.
Want to watch the mission unfold? Californians can try to catch the rocket in person; otherwise, SpaceX offers a livestream.
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.
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Is there a rocket launch today? Next mission from California
SpaceX is working toward a Thursday, Oct. 15, launch from Southern California, with a four-hour launch window opening at 4:44 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 is the next Vandenberg launch? Falcon 9 to launch Space Force mission
SpaceX, the commercial spaceflight company founded by Elon Musk, plans to launch another classified mission for the U.S. Space Force, this one known as USSF-481. 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.
What rocket is launching? What to know about Falcon 9
The mission will use SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. The two-stage, 230-foot rocket is the most active rocket in the world, having launched hundreds of times from both Florida and California.
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: SpaceX targets classified rocket launch at Vandenberg. How to watch
