After an action-packed July, the final rocket launch of the month in California is coming up tonight.
For the 8th time this month, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is due to get off the ground from the Vandenberg Space Force Base
. The launch window for the Starlink internet satellite mission opens in the evening when most people are done with work and lasts late into the night, meaning the rocket should be brightly illuminated against the dark sky.If you want to watch the mission in person, start making your plans now. But if you prefer sticking with a livestream you can watch remotely, SpaceX makes it easy.
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.
rocket launches: Is another record year ahead in California after milestone launch?
Is there a rocket launch today? Next liftoff from California
SpaceX is working toward a Friday, July 31, launch from Southern California, with a four-hour launch window opening at 7 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 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 five 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: Final California rocket launch of July on tap tonight. How you can see it
