Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Rocket carrying military satellites set to lift off from Central Coast

A SpaceX Falcon 9 takeoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
/
SpaceX

Satellites intended to improve military communications, as well as tracking of missile launches and flights.

It’s a “go” as of now for a rocket launch from the Central Coast with a payload of satellites providing improved military communications, as well as expanded missile warning and tracking capabilities.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 launch is set for 7:27 a.m. Thursday from Vandenberg Space Force Base. If there’s an issue with launch preparations, there’s a second launch window at 7:26 Friday morning.

The Tranche 0 mission is adding to a new layer of U.S. military satellites in low earth orbit.

The launch should be visible throughout much of the Tri-Counties. Depending on your location, you could also hear a sonic boom a few minutes after the launch, because the reusable first stage booster is set to land back at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral.