Vandenberg Space Force Base Guardians and Airmen are scheduled to support the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 27 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, Wednesday, December 17th, between 7:10 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4).
The timing is driven by orbital mechanics and ensures the vehicle will reach the precise point in space required to execute mission objectives.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch at https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-15-13 and on X @SpaceX.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
This launch supports Department of War communications through advanced low-Earth orbit technology.
Based on Vandenberg SFB's updated audibility modeling, residents of Ojai, Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo may hear a sonic boom approximately 5-10 minutes after launch, with the greatest likelihood of audibility in the Ojai and Ventura areas.
Areas local to Vandenberg SFB will hear the initial low rumble of take-off.
Vandenberg SFB continues to provide safe and reliable access to space in support of national security and homeland defense