SLO residents could hear ‘one or more’ sonic booms from SpaceX rocket launch. Here’s when
A loud boom from a rocket launch could rock parts of San Luis Obispo County early Monday morning, according to Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
SpaceX plans to launch its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Lompoc at 11:54 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, the aerospace company said in a news release.
The OneWeb Launch 20 mission aims to increase high-speed internet coverage by bringing more satellites to low-Earth orbit.
About eight minutes after liftoff, at approximately 12:02 a.m. Monday, the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zone 4 at the base in northern Santa Barbara County, SpaceX said.
That could result in residents of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties hearing “one or more sonic booms during the landing,” SpaceX said in the release.
The strength of the boom will depend on weather and other conditions, SpaceX said.
If the launch does not occur Sunday, the aerospace company will initiate another attempt on Monday at 11:49 p.m.
SpaceX is streaming a live webcast of the launch at its website, beginning five minutes before liftoff.
