SpaceX is scheduled to launch another batch of Starlink satellites this weekend, with the Falcon 9 rocket set to lift off from the Central Coast this weekend.
The mission, designated Starlink 17-18, is targeted for a four-hour window opening at 2:58 a.m. PT on Saturday, March 7, remaining open until 6:58 a.m. PT. The rocket will depart from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4) at Vandenberg, and is approved by the U.S. Space Force.
SpaceX will provide live coverage of the event for those unable to view it in person. The webcast is expected to begin approximately five minutes prior to the new window opening and will be available on the company’s website and official X account: https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-17-18 and https://x.com/SpaceX.
“Vandenberg plays a critical role in strengthening the United States’ national security through guaranteed access to space,” SpaceX stated. “In addition to the base’s active spaceport, Vandenberg’s Guardians and Airmen make possible essential missions such as nuclear deterrence, national defense, global command and control of space assets, orbital tracking, and training the next generation.”
Residents across Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties should be aware of the possibility of sonic booms during the descent and landing of the rocket’s first-stage booster. Whether sounds are audible will depend heavily on local weather conditions and other atmospheric factors.
While launches from Vandenberg are frequently visible across a wide region, including as far south as Tijuana and other parts of Baja California, local weather will be the deciding factor for skywatchers. Overcast conditions could obscure the view from the ground at that hour.
