SpaceX is planning to launch a Falcon 9 rocket with 26 Starlink satellites from California

On May 9, 2025, SpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 26 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, targeting liftoff at 5:00 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities until 7:21 p.m. PT and additional slots on May 10 starting at 5:00 p.m. PT.

A live webcast, starting five minutes before launch, will be available on SpaceX’s website, @SpaceX on X, and the X TV app. The first stage booster, on its 14th flight, previously supported missions like Crew-7, CRS-29, and six Starlink launches, and will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific Ocean after stage separation.

Residents in Santasanta Barbara, San Luis Obito, and Ventura counties may hear sonic booms during the booster’s re-entry, with audibility depending on weather, altitude, and terrain, as the booster’s hypersonic re-entry creates pressure waves.

Noise levels vary, with some residents reporting loud booms and others hearing nothing, based on historical X posts and SpaceX’s environmental monitoring with Vandenberg SFB. Check Vandenberg’s notices or @SpaceX for updates, and share experiences on X for real-time reports.