Will a rocket be launched today? SpaceX schedules liftoff in California for December

As 2025 nears its end, SpaceX continues its active schedule in California, offering several opportunities for the public to witness a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. The next mission is currently planned for Thursday, December 4, with a launch window starting at 10:12 a.m. PT.

Launch Overview

The launch will originate from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg, following a southeast trajectory typical for launches from this site. SpaceX will send 28 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit using its two-stage, 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket.

Viewing Locations

Although the launch pad is on a military base with restricted access, several public locations in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties offer clear sightlines:

• Santa Barbara County: 13th Street & Arguello Boulevard; Floradale Ave & West Ocean Ave; Renwick Ave & West Ocean Ave; Santa Lucia Canyon Rd & Victory Rd.
• Lompoc: Ocean Park (6851 Ocean Park Rd); Allan Hancock College (1 Hancock Dr); Riverbend Park (N A St & McLaughlin Rd); Surf Beach (Ocean Ave).
• Ventura County: Ventura Pier (750 E Harbor Blvd); Emma Wood State Beach; Serra Cross Park at Grant Park (501 Poli St); San Buenaventura State Beach (901 San Pedro St); Cemetery Memorial Park (Main St & S Crimea St).
• San Luis Obispo County: Avila Beach; Pismo Beach; Shell Beach; Oceano Dunes; Morro Strand State Beach; Cayucos beaches.

Rockets may also be visible from Long Beach, Lake Forest, San Diego, and Merced during evening or morning launches.

Sonic Booms

Residents near Vandenberg, especially in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties, might hear brief sonic booms lasting up to 10 minutes as the rocket ascends.

Booster Recovery

After liftoff, the Falcon 9 booster is expected to return to a SpaceX drone ship in the Pacific Ocean, enabling reuse for future missions.

About SpaceX

Founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, SpaceX is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas. The company conducts frequent launches of Falcon 9 rockets from California and Florida, deploying Starlink satellites and occasionally carrying crew on its Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station.

About Starlink

Starlink is SpaceX's satellite internet network, consisting of over 8,700 satellites in low-Earth orbit. Operating closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, Starlink delivers faster internet with lower latency, enabling connectivity in remote and underserved areas.

Vandenberg Space Force Base

Located in Santa Barbara County, the base has hosted rocket launches since 1941. Now under the management of Space Launch Delta 30, it supports both military and commercial launches for companies like SpaceX and organizations like NASA.

Author: Harper Simmons