SpaceX Readies Falcon 9 Launch from Vandenberg — When and Where to Watch in California

SpaceX Readies Falcon 9 Launch from Vandenberg

SpaceX is preparing to launch a two-stage Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. The mission is scheduled for 9:21 p.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 16, with an FAA-listed backup opportunity the following day if the launch is delayed. The flight will carry the government weather satellite Sentinel-6B, which will continue long-term sea-level and atmospheric temperature monitoring begun by its twin, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (launched in 2020).

Launch details

The rocket will lift from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) and is expected to fly on a southeast trajectory typical of many Vandenberg missions. The Federal Aviation Administration issued an updated Nov. 12 order that keeps a federal curfew in place restricting commercial launches between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time.

“We treat every mission as critical to the national architecture – while ensuring rigorous public safety and scheduling flexibility,” Col. James Horne III, commander of Space Launch Delta 30, said. He added that the base will continue close coordination with the FAA while aligning operations to national security priorities.

What the rocket is carrying

Sentinel-6B is a government-operated ocean-observing satellite designed to measure global sea-level rise and record atmospheric temperatures. The Falcon 9 will place it into orbit and then attempt to recover the booster at sea for reuse.

Booster recovery

After stage separation, the Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on SpaceX’s drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean so the booster can be refurbished and reused on future flights.

Where to watch

Vandenberg is an active military base and does not host official public viewing areas. On clear nights, however, launches are visible from many public vantage points across Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties and — under the right conditions — even farther south toward Los Angeles and San Diego.

Nearby Santa Barbara County (Lompoc area)

• 13th St & Arguello Blvd — one of the closest public intersections with good views.
• Floradale Ave & W Ocean Ave — officially listed as the viewing site for SLC-6.
• Renwick Ave & W Ocean Ave — a nearby intersection with parking for spectators.
• Santa Lucia Canyon Rd & Victory Rd — offers partial sightlines to Complex 4.
• Lompoc recommendations from Explore Lompoc: Ocean Park (6851 Ocean Park Rd), Allan Hancock College (1 Hancock Dr), Riverbend Park (N A St & McLaughlin Rd), and Surf Beach (Ocean Ave).

Ventura County vantage points

• Ventura Pier (750 E. Harbor Blvd)
• Emma Wood State Beach
• Serra Cross Park at Grant Park (501 Poli St)
• San Buenaventura State Beach (901 San Pedro St)
• Cemetery Memorial Park (Main St & S Crimea St)

San Luis Obispo County viewing spots

• Avila Beach
• Pismo Beach (downtown and promenades)
• Shell Beach (Eldwayen Ocean Park, Margo Dodd Park) and Dinosaur Caves Park (2701 Price St)
• Oceano Dunes — open spaces with wide sky visibility
• Morro Strand State Beach — south-facing beaches in Cayucos

Other possible viewing areas

Under favorable lighting and weather, the rocket may be visible much farther away: Long Beach (≈180 miles south), Lake Forest (≈200 miles south), San Diego (≈280 miles south) and Merced (over 200 miles north).

Safety and logistics

• Launches are often delayed or scrubbed for weather and technical reasons. Check local news outlets (for example, the Ventura County Star) or SpaceX's updates for the latest schedule.
• Parking near popular vantage points can fill quickly and local authorities may close roads once lots are full.
• At Surf Beach, Lompoc, visitors must cross an active train track; trains may resume service on short notice if a launch is scrubbed.
• Residents in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties could hear sonic booms or low rumbles from liftoff. Sonic booms occur when an object travels faster than the speed of sound and are typically brief.

About SpaceX and Vandenberg

SpaceX, founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas, where the company tests its larger Starship vehicle. SpaceX conducts many launches from California and Florida, regularly deploying Starlink satellites and providing launch services for NASA and the Department of Defense. The company also operates crewed Dragon missions and recently supported high-profile private flights.

Vandenberg Space Force Base (est. 1941) — formerly Vandenberg Air Force Base — supports both military and civil space operations. Space Launch Delta 30 manages launch operations and missile testing at the site.

Plan ahead: If you intend to view the launch in person, prepare for possible changes to the schedule and follow instructions from local authorities. For the latest launch status, consult SpaceX’s website and local news sources.