What: SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 carrying 27 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
When: Four-hour window from 9:20 p.m. PT Dec. 13 to 1:20 a.m. PT Dec. 14, with a possible backup day.
Where To Watch: No official public viewing at Vandenberg, but clear views are often possible across Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties; expect possible delays and brief sonic booms.
SpaceX is scheduled for a late-night Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base this weekend, carrying 27 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4E and will follow a southeast trajectory over the Pacific.
The four-hour window opens at 9:20 p.m. PT on Saturday, Dec. 13 and closes at 1:20 a.m. PT on Sunday, Dec. 14. The Federal Aviation Administration has published an advisory indicating a backup opportunity may be available the following day if weather or technical issues force a scrub.
The 230-foot Falcon 9 two-stage rocket will deploy 27 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit — a lower-altitude orbit that helps reduce latency and improve connection speeds for users. If completed as planned, this would be SpaceX’s fifth Starlink deployment from California in the first half of December.
Vandenberg is an active military base and does not host official public viewing areas. However, clear skies often provide excellent vantage points across Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. Below are recommended viewing areas that typically offer good sightlines.
Residents in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties are most likely to hear sonic booms — brief, thunder-like sounds that can persist for several minutes after liftoff. Vandenberg notes local areas may experience an initial low rumble at takeoff and booms for up to about 10 minutes.
After stage separation, the Falcon 9 first-stage booster will attempt a landing on SpaceX’s autonomous drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" stationed in the Pacific. Successful recovery allows SpaceX to refurbish and reuse boosters for future flights.
SpaceX, founded in 2002 by Elon Musk and headquartered at Starbase in South Texas, conducts frequent launches from California and Florida to deploy Starlink satellites, service commercial and government customers, and carry cargo and crew aboard Dragon. Starlink has expanded into a constellation of nearly 9,000 satellites operating in low-Earth orbit (roughly 341 miles up), which lowers latency compared with traditional geostationary systems and helps extend internet access to remote areas.
Because schedules often shift, viewers should monitor Vandenberg and SpaceX social channels, the FAA advisory, and local news for the latest status before heading out.
