[Launch Alert] Tuesday Launch

[Launch Alert]

The following is an advisory from Vandenberg SFB:

"Space Launch Delta 30 Guardians and Airmen are scheduled to support the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 27 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. Liftoff is targeted for Tuesday, October 20, between 3:14 p.m. and 7:14 p.m. PT from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E).

A moderate possibility exists that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch online here: https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-15-15"

The visibility of the launch can vary depending on the weather, time of day, and vehicle flight path. If liftoff occurs during daylight at your location, the orange flame from the first stage could be visible to the unaided eye up to 100 statute miles from the launch pad and either side of the Falcon's flight path. The vehicle should also briefly produce a white vapor trail during the early portion of the first stage burn. The second stage burn will probably be invisible.

If the launch occurs after sunset at your location, but within one hour after Vandenberg sunset*, the rocket's exhaust may be illuminated by the Sun at high altitude against a dusk or dark sky background. Such a display could be visible as far away as Arizona; western New Mexico; southern Nevada, Utah, and Colorado; and northwest mainland Mexico.

If liftoff occurs after nightfall at your location, the launch could be visible for several minutes for hundreds of miles.

Observers in southern California and Baja California Norte with an unobstructed horizon and dusk or dark sky 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-15-15

X @SpaceX

This information is subject to change.

*Vandenberg sunset is at 6:21 p.m. PDT.