SpaceX is set to cap off an extraordinary 2025 with its historic 165th Falcon 9 launch of the year — a new all-time record in commercial spaceflight! On Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 6:08 p.m. PT, the powerful rocket will blast off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, carrying the advanced COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG-3) Earth observation satellite for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defence.
This cutting-edge radar satellite will deliver high-resolution, all-weather imaging to support vital missions in environmental monitoring, disaster response, maritime security, agriculture, and national defence.
The reusable first-stage booster, flying for its 21st time, will dramatically return for a landing at LZ-4 right at Vandenberg, while the second stage deploys the satellite into a precise Sun-synchronous orbit.
Residents across Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear sonic booms during the booster’s return, depending on atmospheric conditions. This international partnership mission marks a spectacular finale to SpaceX’s record-shattering year, dominated by Starlink deployments and crewed flights. Don’t miss the action — the live webcast begins ~15 minutes before liftoff on SpaceX.com.