A busy period is ahead at Vandenberg Space Force Base, with a series of separate SpaceX rocket launches and a critical U.S. Air Force missile test scheduled in Santa Barbara County. The upcoming events include multiple Falcon 9 missions carrying Starlink satellites and classified payloads, alongside a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches
Starlink Missions
SpaceX has scheduled several Falcon 9 launches to deploy satellites for the Starlink internet constellation from Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base.
Payload Details:
- One mission is carrying 24 Starlink satellites
- One mission is carrying 25 Starlink satellites
- Payload counts vary by flight, with some launches carrying 24 and others 25 satellites
Launch Windows:
- Multiple launch windows are scheduled across different dates, typically ranging from early morning (7 a.m.) to late evening (11 p.m.)
- Backup launch opportunities are available on subsequent days for each mission
- Specific time windows include:
- Between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Between 7:11 p.m. and 9:01 p.m.
- 10:16 p.m.
- Between 7:37 a.m. and 7:56 a.m.
Booster Recovery:
- First-stage boosters are planned to land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific Ocean
- Landing typically occurs approximately eight minutes after liftoff
- Booster flight numbers vary by mission, including second, sixth, 13th, 22nd, and 32nd flights
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Missions
Two classified payload missions for the National Reconnaissance Office have been scheduled.
NROL-172 Mission:
- Launch target: 3:28 p.m., with a window extending until 7:28 p.m.
- Backup opportunity available the following day
- First-stage booster, on its second flight, will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship
NROL-105 Mission:
- Launch window: 8:18 p.m. to 8:53 p.m.
- Backup opportunity available the following day (35-minute window opening at 8:04 p.m.)
- First-stage booster, on its second flight, will land at Landing Zone 4 on South Base approximately seven minutes after liftoff
Rideshare Mission (CAS500-2)
A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch the South Korean Compact Advanced Satellite 500 (CAS500-2), an Earth-observation satellite built by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. The ride-share mission also includes multiple other payloads from Argotec S.r.l, Exolaunch, Impulso.Space, Loft-EarthDaily, Lynk Global, True Anomaly, and Planet Labs.
- Launch window: 11:59 p.m. to 12:36 a.m.
- Backup window available the following night
- First-stage booster, on its 33rd flight, will land at Landing Zone 4 approximately seven minutes after liftoff
- The timing is based on orbital requirements for inserting CAS500-2 into a sun-synchronous orbit
Sonic Booms
Residents in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties may experience one or more sonic booms approximately 8-10 minutes after liftoff for booster landings at Landing Zone 4.
The intensity and audibility depend on local weather and atmospheric conditions.
Viewing Information
Live Webcasts:
- Available at spacex.com/launches and on X @SpaceX
- Webcasts begin approximately 5-10 minutes before liftoff, varying by mission
In-Person Viewing Locations:
- Harris Grade Road peak
- Intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads in Vandenberg Village, Lompoc Valley
- Areas west of Lompoc's city limits
Visibility:
- Launches near sunrise or sunset may be visible from parts of California and other Western states under clear skies
- During one launch, residents across Southern California from Santa Monica to Huntington Beach observed a red streak in the night sky shortly after 10:30 p.m.
- One launch live-stream on X attracted nearly 100,000 viewers
U.S. Air Force Minuteman III Missile Test
An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test, designated Glory Trip 256, is scheduled at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Timing:
- Launch window: 12:01 a.m. to 6:01 a.m.
- The missile will launch from an underground silo at Vandenberg
Launch Profile:
- The three-stage missile will fly to a target in the central Pacific Ocean
- No live webcast is planned
Purpose:
- The test is part of the ICBM test launch program to validate the effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy of the weapon system, according to Air Force Global Strike Command
- The test was scheduled years ago and is not related to current world events
- The Air Force operates approximately 400 Minuteman missiles and is developing a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile
Upcoming Scheduled Launches
SpaceX has tentatively scheduled additional Falcon rocket launches from Vandenberg for Starlink missions on various dates, including March 16, March 20, March 24, May 9, May 15, May 18, May 30, June 2, June 3, and June 10.
Potential Delays
All launches and the missile test may be delayed due to technical issues with the rocket, payload, or support equipment; unfavorable weather; or scheduling conflicts.
Expansion and Regulatory Matters
SpaceX is seeking to increase its annual launch frequency from Vandenberg Space Force Base from approximately 50 to 100 launches per year. The California Coastal Commission has raised concerns regarding potential impacts on wildlife. Additionally, the government of Mexico has indicated a potential lawsuit against SpaceX related to rocket debris.