### Falcon 9 Rocket Set to Launch from Vandenberg This Sunday

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is poised for liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County at 6:34 a.m. on Sunday. If required, the launch team has additional opportunities extending until 10:34 a.m. the same day, according to SpaceX. In case the launch on Sunday faces issues, backup opportunities are available starting at 6:20 a.m. on Monday.

The booster for this mission, which has already completed six previous flights, is expected to land on the droneship named Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX has indicated that residents of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties might hear a sonic boom, depending on weather and other conditions.

The primary goal of this mission is to deploy 26 more Starlink satellites into orbit. The deployment is planned to take place roughly one hour after liftoff.

For those eager to follow the event live, SpaceX will provide a webcast approximately five minutes before liftoff, accessible through spacex.com/launches and on their X account @SpaceX.

Residents in the Lompoc Valley area have several prime locations to watch the launch in person, including the peak of Harris Grade Road and spots around Vandenberg Village like the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads. Vandenberg launches around sunrise or sunset often offer visually stunning views, and if the skies are clear, the rocket might be visible from various locations in California and potentially other Western states.