Arizona residents who set their alarms early this weekend and look up at the right time may be rewarded with a stunning sight of a rocket flying overheard.
SpaceX is planning to get its Falcon 9 rocket off the ground once again at the Vandenberg Space Force Base
on what could be the sixth and final liftoff of September. And for the third time this month, the mission will be a classified operation for the U.S. Space Force.The good news for spectators in Arizona? It should be plenty dark during the launch window, meaning the two-stage rocket should be especially striking as it soars across the sky with no competing sun to outshine it.
The, perhaps, not-so-good news? That launch window opens pretty early in the morning when most people may be sleeping.
Keep in mind that postponements due to weather or issues with rockets are common with spaceflight. If you're going to try to spot the rocket launch, check back with azcentral.com for any updates on the mission.
In the meantime, here's what to know about the launch from neighboring California, as well as when and where to potentially see the rocket in Arizona.
Is there a rocket launch today? Next mission from California
SpaceX is working toward a Saturday, Sept. 26, launch from Southern California, with a three-hour launch window opening at 4:56 a.m. PT.
A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed.
Will liftoff from Vandenberg be visible in Arizona? What to know about trajectory
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.
Because the rocket is due to fly at a southeastern trajectory, it may be visible from Arizona.
What's the mission? SpaceX to conduct Space Force launch
The next launch from Vandenberg is another classified mission for the U.S. Space Force, this one known as USSF-385. 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 be used to deliver the payload.
Weather favorability: Here's the forecast during the launch window
Patchy fog before 11 a.m. PT is forecasted during the Sept. 26 launch window for Santa Barbara County, where the Vandenberg Space Force Base is located, according to the National Weather Service.
The below graphic from the NWS, which shows the potential for clouds in Arizona during the targeted window, should help spectators know if conditions will be ideal near them. Blue shading indicates clear skies, while areas with gray shading and higher percentage numbers indicates a higher chance for clouds.
How to watch SpaceX launch livestream
Fortunately for those in Arizona interested in watching the launch, SpaceX also provides a live webcast of its 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 Arizona, US
Where to watch SpaceX Falcon 9 in Arizona
Because of Arizona's proximity to the launch site, there's a good chance people there can see the spacecraft streak across the sky, especially at night or very early morning.
Here's a list of some possible viewing locations compiled by The Arizona Republic, a USA TODAY Network publication.
- Dobbins Lookout, South Mountain, 10919 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, Arizona
- Papago Park, 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona
- Fountain Hills, a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, which in 2018 was designated a Dark Sky Community with little light pollution
- Superstition Mountains, located 40 miles from metro Phoenix in Arizona
- Cave Creek, a town in Maricopa County about 30 miles north of Fountain Hills, Arizona
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, 3400 Sky Harbor Blvd., Arizona, which has a parking garage that is popular for plane-watching
- Black Canyon City, an unincorporated community in Yavapai County, Arizona
- Any mountain park in Arizona
- Estrella Mountain Regional Park, 14805 W. Vineyard Ave., Goodyear, Arizona
- Skyline Regional Park, 2600 N. Watson Road, Buckeye, Arizona
- White Tank Mountains, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell, Arizona
- San Tan Mountain Regional Park, 6533 W. Phillips Road, Queen Creek, Arizona
- Monument Hill, a 150-foot slope on 115th Avenue, in Arizona
- Casa Grande, a city in Pinal County, approximately halfway between Phoenix and Tucson
- Avondale, a city in Maricopa County bordering Phoenix to the west
- Queen Creek, a suburb of Phoenix
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: SpaceX rocket may be seen in Arizona during Space Force mission
