SpaceX is targeting Friday evening for a Falcon 9 launch of 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Liftoff is targeted for 5:03 p.m., with backup opportunities available until 7:21 p.m. If needed, additional opportunities are available on Saturday, May 10 starting at 5 p.m.
Following stage separation, the first stage booster will return and touch town on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, to be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Officials note of a possibility that residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch depending on weather and other conditions.
This will be the 14th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, and six Starlink missions.
A live webcast of the mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, accessible via X, @SpaceX, and webcast on the new X TV app.
Launch dates and times are subject to change at any time due to mission requirements.
Lisa André covers lifestyle and local news for the Santa Ynez Valley News and Lompoc Record, editions of the Santa Maria Times. She can be reached at landre@syvnews.com