SpaceX is preparing for its next rocket launch, scheduled for Friday, May 9, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket is set to carry 26 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, part of SpaceX’s ambitious project to provide global internet coverage through its constellation of over 6,700 satellites.
This launch comes after a previous attempt was canceled just a week ago. SpaceX aims to livestream the event, enabling viewers not only online but also those in Southern California and parts of neighboring Arizona to witness the spectacle. Residents in regions including Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear sonic booms as the rocket accelerates to supersonic speeds.
The launch window will open at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET) and remain open until 7:21 p.m. PT. If delayed, backup launch opportunities are available the next day. Following the deployment of the satellites, the Falcon 9’s first stage booster will attempt a recovery landing on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean.
For those interested in viewing the launch in person, several locations within California offer prime vantage points, including near Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and officially designated viewing areas such as Firefighter Road and Surf Beach.
SpaceX, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has a strong track record in the commercial spaceflight industry, often collaborating with NASA and the Department of Defense for government missions while also advancing its own initiatives. The advanced Falcon 9 rocket significantly contributes to the ongoing competition in the satellite internet sector, especially against companies like Amazon, which is also launching its own satellites for similar services.
Overall, this launch serves as another step in enhancing global connectivity via satellite technology, highlighting the ongoing evolution of commercial space endeavors.