SpaceX will fly one final Falcon 9 from Vandenberg this year to deliver the CSG‑3 Earth‑observation satellite for the Italian Space Agency. The launch window opens at 6:08 p.m. PT on Saturday, Dec. 27 from SLC‑4E, with the first stage expected to land back at Landing Zone 4. Launch times often shift — check VC Star for updates. Vandenberg activity is set to rise in 2026, including a planned Falcon Heavy debut.
SpaceX Schedules Final 2025 California Launch — Falcon 9 To Carry Italy’s CSG‑3 On Dec. 27
SpaceX will conduct one final Falcon 9 launch from Southern California before the end of 2025, carrying the CSG‑3 Earth‑observation satellite for the Italian Space Agency.
Mission Overview
The Falcon 9 is slated to lift off from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC‑4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Saturday, Dec. 27, with a published launch window opening at 6:08 p.m. PT. This flight pauses SpaceX’s recent cadence of Starlink launches so the company can serve as a commercial launch provider for Italy’s Earth‑monitoring mission.
Vehicle And Recovery
The rocket is a two‑stage, 230‑foot Falcon 9. After stage separation, the first‑stage booster is scheduled to return to Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg for a ground landing.
Timing And Viewing
Residents of coastal and inland Southern California — and neighbors in Arizona — who plan to watch the launch should be aware that launch dates and times frequently change. Delays and schedule adjustments are common in spaceflight; check VC Star’s mission coverage for the latest updates and official timing.
Looking Ahead
Vandenberg is expected to increase launch activity in 2026, including more Falcon 9 missions and the planned debut of Falcon Heavy from the facility.
Reporting
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: "Is there a rocket launch today? 1 more SpaceX mission on the schedule."
