[Launch Alert] Saturday Launch

[Launch Alert]

The following is an advisory from Vandenberg SFB:

"The U.S. Space Force has approved a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch with a return-to-base landing, scheduled to lift off at 6:08 p.m. Pacific Time, Saturday, Dec. 27, from Space Launch Complex 4 East at the Vandenberg Space Force Base spaceport.

Residents near Vandenberg SFB will hear one or more sonic booms approximately 8–10 minutes after liftoff as the Falcon 9 first stage returns and lands at Landing Zone 4 on the spaceport.

The mission will deliver the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite to low-Earth orbit in support of the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence.

A live webcast will begin approximately 15 minutes prior to liftoff and will be available here: https://www.spacex.com/launches/cosmo-skymedfm3 and on X @SpaceX, including via the X TV app.

Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms associated with the launch depending on weather and atmospheric conditions.

If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available Sunday, Dec. 28, at the same time.

U.S. Space Force Guardians and U.S. Air Force Airmen operate and manage the spaceport and provide range oversight, safety coordination, and mission support for all launch service providers - ensuring safe and reliable launch operations."

Weather permitting, the event could be visible to the unaided eye across much of the Southwest and northwestern Mexico. It is uncertain if the rocket's exhaust plume will be illuminated by the Sun at high altitude because the launch window opens long after Vandenberg SFB sunset. That said, observers in dark locations may still be able to see the exhaust plume, but it will be much fainter.

For countdown status and video feeds of the launch, go to:

https://spaceflightnow.com

https://www.spacex.com/launches/cosmo-skymedfm3

X @SpaceX

This information is subject to change.

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Last March, NASA's SPHEREx mission was launched from Vandenberg SFB aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The first results from the mission were recently released to the public. Go to:

NASA's SPHEREx Observatory Completes First Cosmic Map Like No Other
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-spherex-observatory-completes-first-cosmic-map-like-no-other/