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SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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USSF-432SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USALow Earth OrbitGo for launchStarlink Group 15-21SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USALow Earth OrbitGo for launch
NROL-195SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USALow Earth OrbitTo be determinedNET November
USSF-114United Launch Alliance · Vulcan · Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAUnknownTo be determinedNET 2026SDA Tranche 2 Transport Layer BUnited Launch Alliance · Vulcan · Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAPolar OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026
Rivada 7SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAPolar OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026Rivada 2SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAPolar OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026SDA Tranche 1 Tracking Layer ASpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAPolar OrbitTo be determinedTime TBDRivada 4SpaceX · Falcon 9 Block 5 · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAPolar OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026Vandenberg Space Force Base sits on California’s Central Coast near Lompoc, in Santa Barbara County. Rockets fly south over the open Pacific from here, which makes it the place to launch into polar and sun-synchronous orbits, the paths that pass over the whole Earth.
SpaceX flies Falcon 9 from SLC-4E for Starlink, rideshare and national security missions. The base also hosts Firefly Alpha, United Launch Alliance and Northrop Grumman Minotaur launches, as well as missile tests.
Launches around sunset or before dawn can light up the sky across Southern California: the rocket climbs into sunlight while the ground is dark, and its plume spreads into a glowing cloud people call a jellyfish. It can be seen from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles and San Diego, and into Arizona. The viewing planner shows where to look from your location.
Questions About Vandenberg Launches
The next launch is at the top of this page with a live countdown, shown in your time zone.
Often, yes. On a clear night look west to northwest shortly after liftoff. Twilight launches are the most striking and can be seen across Southern California.
The rocket rises into sunlight while you are still in the dark, so the sun lights up its exhaust plume high above you.
When a Falcon 9 booster lands back at Vandenberg, people in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties may hear a sonic boom. Each launch page says when a landing on land is planned.
The base is closed to the public. Watch from public land around Lompoc or anywhere with a clear view west; the viewing planner shows the best direction.
Follow Vandenberg in the Space Launch Now app to get a notification before each launch and whenever the time changes.
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