Vandenberg’s Next Mission: SpaceX Middle-of-Night Launch, Landing
Noozhawk • • science
Key Points:
- SpaceX is scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base between 11:59 p.m. Saturday and 12:36 a.m. Sunday, with backup windows available Sunday night into Monday morning.
- The launch aims to insert the South Korean CAS500-2 Earth-observation satellite into a sun-synchronous orbit, along with dozens of additional rideshare payloads from various companies.
- The first-stage booster, making its 33rd flight, will attempt a landing at Landing Zone 4 near the launch site approximately seven minutes after liftoff.
- Residents in nearby counties can expect sonic booms 8 to 10 minutes after liftoff, with visibility of the launch possible from multiple locations in the Lompoc Valley and potentially other parts of California and Western states.
- SpaceX has planned subsequent Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg for Starlink missions on Tuesday and May 9, though launches remain subject to delays due to technical, weather, or scheduling issues.
