A SpaceX satellite launch in California could provide a thrilling show for spectators eager to see a rocket soaring toward orbit. The company, owned by Elon Musk, plans to send another batch of Starlink internet satellites into space, marking the fourth time this month.
The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County on May 21 or 22, with a launch window opening at 2:20 p.m. PT (5:20 p.m. ET). However, SpaceX has not officially confirmed the launch date and time.
Residents of surrounding areas may hear sonic booms due to the rocket’s high speed. The base does not host public viewings of launches, but spectators can watch from designated viewing sites in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
SpaceX will provide a livestream of the launch on its website five minutes before liftoff. The company has been contracting with NASA and the Department of Defense for government missions and conducting private rocket launches using its two-stage Falcon 9 rocket.
Starlink is a constellation of more than 6,700 satellites that provide internet service worldwide. The low-Earth orbit allows for lower latency and faster data transmission, improving performance for streaming, online gaming, and video calls.
The Vandenberg Space Force Base has been used for military, civil, and commercial space launches since its establishment in 1941. SpaceX has conducted several successful launches from the base, including a recent attempt by Firefly Aerospace to launch prototype satellites into orbit.
Source: https://eu.vcstar.com/story/news/2025/05/19/california-rocket-launch-spacex-where-time/83624678007