[Launch Alert] Saturday Launch

[Launch Alert]

The following is an advisory from Vandenberg SFB:

"The U.S. Space Force has approved the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Starlink 15-20 mission to low-Earth orbit, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, between 12:25 a.m. – 04:25 a.m. PT from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4).

A minimal possibility exists that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear a sonic boom during the launch. Depending on weather and location, this event may sound like an abrupt crack of thunder, according to prediction models.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch at https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-15-20 and on X @SpaceX."

Weather permitting, the event could be visible for several minutes over a wide area. Observers in southern California and Baja California Norte with an unobstructed horizon may briefly see the bright orange flame from the first stage low on the horizon as it descends for landing on a downrange drone ship.

For a better view of the launch, use tripod-mounted binoculars or a spotting scope. An astronomical telescope with a low-power eyepiece will probably provide the best view.

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

https://spaceflightnow.com

https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-15-20

X @SpaceX

This information is subject to change.