[Launch Alert] Launch Tonight (Possible Light Show)

[Launch Alert]

A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for launch tonight (Saturday, March 8) from Vandenberg SFB, Calif. The vehicle is slated to lift off from south base at 7:10 p.m. Pacific Time and carry the SPHEREx and PUNCH missions into orbit. Eight minutes after launch the first stage will land at Vandenberg SFB.

An analysis by amateur astronomer extraordinaire Rick Baldrige shows if the launch takes place on time, the vehicle should climb into sunlight during the second stage burn at T+4 minutes 30 seconds.

Weather permitting, the event could be visible to the unaided eye over a wide area.

For information about the SPHEREx and PUNCH missions, go to:

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-spherex-space-telescope-will-seek-lifes-ingredients/

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/punch/

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

https://spaceflightnow.com

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=spherex

https://twitter.com/SpaceX

This information is subject to change.