A planned overnight rocket launch in Southern California will mark the third time that SpaceX attempts to conduct its latest West Coast mission.
The commercial spaceflight company's previous two attempts to get its Falcon 9 rocket off the ground at the Vandenberg Space Force Base ended in scrubs, or postponements.
Now, the commercial spaceflight company is targeting an overnight liftoff for what would be the 67th rocket launch of 2026 at Vandenberg. That means Vandenberg is well on track to set a new rocket launch record in 2026 after 71 rocket launches were notched in 2025.
Want to keep up with the latest on the mission before liftoff?
Here's everything you need to know to track the next California rocket launch.
expected to soar in next decade in California
When is the next California rocket launch?
The next California rocket launch is targeted for 12:54 a.m. PT Thursday, Oct. 8, according to alaunch alert.
Where is liftoff?
The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 4-East (SLC-4E,) which SpaceX leases as a launch site for its Falcon 9 rocket at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
What is the mission? SpaceX to deploy Tranche 1 satellites
SpaceX, the commercial spaceflight company founded by Elon Musk, plans to deploy another batch of 21 Tranche 1 satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA.)
The payload marks the fourth batch that SpaceX will help deliver, for a total of 154 layered network of satellites. Once in low-Earth orbit – an altitude closer to Earth's atmosphere – the satellites will by 2027 provide global military tactical communication and missile defense.
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.
In this case, the rocket's booster that provides the initial burst of thrust at liftoff will be making its sixth flight.
Weather favorability: Here's the forecast during the launch window
Patchy dense fog and clouds are forecasted after 11 p.m. leading into the overnight launch Oct. 8 in Santa Barbara County, where the Vandenberg Space Force Base is located, according to the National Weather Service.
When are the backup launch opportunities if it scrubs?
Rockets often aren't able to get off the ground within a target launch window for a variety of factors, including bad weather or technical issues detected with the spacecraft. If a launch is scrubbed, that means an attempt to start the mission was canceled for the day and a new date and time will have to be selected.
A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed again. According to SpaceX, the backup launch would be targeted for 12:47 a.m. PT Friday, Oct. 9.
What is the trajectory?
The rocket will fly at a southern trajectory.
Where is the booster landing?
Following the launch and stage separation, the Falcon 9 rocket's booster will aim to return to the launch site to land at Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at the Vandenberg Space Force Base. While SpaceX most often has boosters land on its drone ship offshore, this method still allows personnel to recover the booster so it can be reused in future spaceflights.
Will there be sonic booms?
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 – are always possible for rocket launches.
In the case of a booster returning for a landing back at Vandenberg closer to populated areas – rather than on a drone ship in the ocean – the sonic boom could be even more noticeable. 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.
Residents of Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County often stand to be the most likely to hear sonic booms, SpaceX has said. Vandenberg has previously indicates that the booms can take place up to 10 minutes after liftoff.
Meanwhile, "areas local to Vandenberg Space Force Base will hear the initial low rumble of take-off," Vandenberg also has warned before launches.
Where can I watch rocket launches from the Vandenberg Space Force Base?
Plenty of places around California have become popular among spectators to catch the sight of a rocket launch, whether they want to be up close and personal as it thunders off the launch pad, or farther away as it soars overhead.
The below guides should help you find a popular location near you in California:
- Near Vandenberg, including Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties;
- Near Palm Springs;
- Around Arizona.
Will a livestream be available?
SpaceX will stream the launch on the company's website beginning about 10 minutes before liftoff. SpaceX may also provide updates on social media site X.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: After 2 scrubs, SpaceX to retry Vandenberg liftoff. Track rocket launch
