What: Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
When: Between 10:23 and 11:23 a..m. Monday, according to SpaceX. If needed, the team has backup opportunities during a one-hour window starting at 10:10 a.m. Tuesday.
Where: Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base.
Landing: The first-stage booster, making its 18th flight, will return to Landing Zone 4, west of the launch site, on South Base more than seven minutes after liftoff.
Due to the landing, one or more sonic booms may be heard in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties but will depend on weather and other conditions, SpaceX said.
Why: Deliver the NROL-48 payload of satellites into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office. This mission is the 11th overall liftoff of the NRO’s proliferated architecture, or new approach involving launching multiple small satellites instead of one humongous spacecraft.
Watch: A live webcast of the mission is scheduled to begin about 10 minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches and on X @SpaceX.
To watch the liftoff in person, the Lompoc Valley has multiple locations offering views of the launch pad. Those include the peak of Harris Grade Road, west of Lompoc’s city limits and around Vandenberg Village, including near the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads.
Vandenberg launches close to sunset or sunrise can be especially picturesque. If skies are clear, the rocket’s departure might be visible from elsewhere around California and, under certain conditions, other Western states.