What: Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Force in Santa Barbara County.
When: Between 10:18 a.m. and 11:25 a.m. Wednesday, according to SpaceX. If needed, the team likely has backup opportunities during another 57-minute window Friday.
Where: Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base.
Landing: The first-stage booster, making its 30th flight, will return to land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship positioned in the Pacific Ocean.
Why: Deliver dozens of satellites into orbit for the Transporter-15 mission.
In addition to Santa Barbara-based Umbra, customers include Planet Labs LLC, OHB Italia, ExoLaunch and NASA.
Watch: A live webcast of the mission is scheduled to begin about 15 minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches and on X @SpaceX.
To watch the liftoff in person, the Lompoc Valley has multiple locations offering views of the launch pad. Those include the peak of Harris Grade Road, west of Lompoc’s city limits and around Vandenberg Village, including near the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads.
Vandenberg launches close to sunset or sunrise can be especially picturesque. If skies are clear, the rocket’s departure might be visible from elsewhere around California and, under certain conditions, other Western states.