A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, at approximately 10:13 p.m. on Saturday. The event could produce sonic booms that may be heard across much of Southern California.
Falcon 9 Mission Overview
The Falcon 9 rocket will ascend into low Earth orbit, deploying a series of satellites for the internet provider OneWeb. The reusable rocket’s first stage will attempt a landing at Vandenberg roughly eight minutes after liftoff. The high-powered boosters will slow the rocket’s descent to land at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 4.
Potential for Sonic Booms
The descent could produce sonic booms as the boosters decelerate below the speed of sound. Sonic booms are shockwaves created by the rapid compression of air, and depending on weather conditions, they can be heard for hundreds of miles. Residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties are the most likely to hear the booms. However, their intensity may vary depending on atmospheric conditions.
Backup Launch Window
If weather conditions or technical issues prevent Saturday’s launch, a backup opportunity is scheduled for Sunday at 10:08 p.m. SpaceX will provide a live-stream of the launch 15 minutes prior to liftoff, allowing enthusiasts to watch the event unfold online.
Previous SpaceX Launches
This launch follows SpaceX’s June 28 mission, when a Falcon 9 rocket carried a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office from the same base.
Officials emphasize that the occurrence of sonic booms is uncertain and largely dependent on specific weather patterns at the time of the rocket’s descent.
