California rocket launch scheduled at Vandenberg. Time, date, and where to watch.

With Thanksgiving behind us and Black Friday deals concluded, those seeking an exciting post-holiday activity on the West Coast might consider witnessing a rocket launch from Southern California. SpaceX is scheduled for its first December flight from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, aiming to deploy additional Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit to expand its satellite network.

The Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift off, and several viewing points across the region are popular among spectators. Keep in mind that launches can be delayed due to weather or technical issues. For real-time updates, refer to local sources covering the launch.

Launch Details

The next SpaceX mission is currently targeted for Monday, December 1, with a four-hour launch window beginning at 6:10 p.m. PT. The Federal Aviation Administration has indicated a backup launch opportunity for the following day if needed.

The rocket will launch from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, heading southeast, a standard trajectory for launches from this site. The mission will carry 27 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, enhancing global internet coverage.

Best Viewing Spots

Santa Barbara County

• 13th Street and Arguello Boulevard public access with close views of launches.
• Floradale Avenue and West Ocean Avenue officially designated SLC-6 viewing site.
• Renwick Avenue and West Ocean Avenue nearby parking and launch visibility.
• Santa Lucia Canyon Road and Victory Road partial view of Complex 4.
• Lompoc City Locations:
  • Ocean Park, 6851 Ocean Park Road about four miles from the launch site.
  • Allan Hancock College, 1 Hancock Drive nine miles away with views of the rocket tip.
  • Riverbend Park, N A Street and McLaughlin Road open fields for spectators.
  • Surf Beach, Ocean Avenue close and popular, but note active train tracks nearby.

Ventura County

• Ventura Pier, 750 E. Harbor Blvd historic pier with clear views.
• Emma Wood State Beach south of U.S. 101 along the Santa Barbara Channel.
• Serra Cross Park, 501 Poli St panoramic seascape view above City Hall.
• San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro St adjacent to Ventura Pier.
• Cemetery Memorial Park, Main Street and South Crimea Street open view locations.

San Luis Obispo County

• Avila Beach restaurants and shops nearby for a full-day experience.
• Pismo Beach vibrant downtown area, about 38 miles from Vandenberg.
• Shell Beach includes Eldwayen Ocean Park, Margo Dodd Park, Dinosaur Caves Park.
• Oceano Dunes open coastal spaces with clear sky views.
• Morro Strand State Beach three-mile stretch between Morro Bay and Cayucos.

Other Notable California Locations

• Long Beach approximately 180 miles south along the coast.
• Lake Forest roughly 200 miles south of the launch site.
• San Diego about 280 miles south of Vandenberg.
• Merced over 200 miles north in the San Joaquin Valley.

Residents near Vandenberg, including Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties, may hear sonic booms lasting up to 10 minutes following liftoff. The Falcon 9 booster is expected to return and land on a SpaceX drone ship, allowing for reuse in future missions.

About SpaceX and Starlink

Founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, SpaceX is a commercial spaceflight company headquartered in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. The company frequently launches Falcon 9 rockets from California and Florida to deploy Starlink satellites and conduct occasional crewed missions using the Dragon spacecraft.

Starlink satellites orbit at low-Earth altitude, offering lower latency internet service worldwide, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas. SpaceX has launched thousands of these satellites over six years to build its constellation.

Vandenberg Space Force Base

Located in Santa Barbara County, Southern California, Vandenberg Space Force Base has been operational since 1941 and supports both military and commercial launches. Space Launch Delta 30 manages launch operations and missile testing at the base.

Author: Sophia Brooks