SpaceX to retry scrubbed California rocket launch. How to watch liftoff
SpaceX will try again to launch its Falcon 9 rocket from California after an unexplained issue triggered a last-minute abort on the first attempt.
The commercial spaceflight company had been working toward
a Monday, Oct. 5, launch of the two-stage rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on a mission to deliver military recon satellites to Earth orbit. While SpaceX did not provide a reason for the delay, it said in a post on social media site X that "vehicle and payload are in good health."
That mission is now being targeted for overnight Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Here's everything to know about the latest SpaceX mission, and how to watch a webcast of the Falcon 9 launching in Santa Barbara County.
California rocket launches: Is another record year ahead in California after milestone launch?
Is there a rocket launch today? Next mission from California
SpaceX is working toward a Tuesday, Oct. 6, launch from Southern California, with a launch window open 12:59 to 1:21 a.m. PT, according to a launch alert. The launch will take place from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed.
What's the mission? What to know about Tranche 1
SpaceX will deploy another batch of 21 Tranche 1 satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA.)
The payload marks the fourth batch that SpaceX will help deliver, for a total of 154 layered network of satellites. Once in low-Earth orbit – an altitude closer to Earth's atmosphere – the satellites will by 2027 provide global military tactical communication and missile defense.
What rocket is launching? What to know about Falcon 9
The mission will use SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. The two-stage, 230-foot rocket is the most active rocket in the world, having launched hundreds of times from both Florida and California.
How to watch SpaceX launch livestream
Californians, of course, have plenty of opportunities to see a rocket in person both near the launch site as it lifts off, and farther away as it soars overhead.
But SpaceX also provides a live webcast of its missions for those who prefer to watch from home or for those viewing the launch locally and looking for updates in real-time.
As with most SpaceX missions, the launch will be available to stream on the company's website beginning about 10 minutes before liftoff. SpaceX may also provide updates on social media site X.
Photos of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in California, US Where is the booster landing? What to know about booster re-entry
Following the launch, the Falcon 9 rocket's booster will aim to land on a SpaceX drone ship, nicknamed "Of Course I Still Love You," in the Pacific Ocean. This allows for SpaceX personnel to recover the booster so it can be reused in future spaceflights.
Will there be sonic booms?
Residents of Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County often stand to be the most likely to hear sonic booms, SpaceX said.
The sonic booms – brief, thunder-like noises that are often heard from the ground when a spacecraft or aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound – could last for up to 10 minutes after liftoff, Vandenberg has added. That's because the booster falls back through the atmosphere still traveling at supersonic speeds and, as it slows down, generates shock waves that sound like one or more loud booms on the ground.
Meanwhile, "areas local to Vandenberg Space Force Base will hear the initial low rumble of take-off," Vandenberg also warns before launches.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com