SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg to deploy military satellites, but you'll have to be awake pretty early in the morning to see it. In the wee hours of the morning, a SpaceX rocket is due to launch from California on a mission to deploy government reconnaissance satellites to space. The mission, which will end with a rare booster landing back at the launch site, marks the fifth launch of June from the Vandenberg Space Force Base. This time around, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will take a break from delivering the company's Starlink satellites to orbit to instead carry out a mission on behalf of the U.S. military. But if you want to watch the rocket get off the ground, you'll have to either stay up later or get up pretty early, depending on your typical bedtime. Californians, as usual, have plenty of options to catch the rocket launch either in person or online. Here's everything to know about the latest SpaceX mission, and how to watch a webcast of the Falcon 9 launching in Santa Barbara County. Is there a rocket launch today? Next liftoff from California SpaceX is working toward a Thursday, June 18, launch from Southern California, with a 35-minute launch window open from 1:54 to 2:29 a.m. PT. The launch will take place from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed. What is launching from Vandenberg? Falcon 9 to deploy military satellites The mission, known as NROL-179, is the 14th launch of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)'s "proliferated architecture" to low-Earth orbit. In simple terms, that means SpaceX is helping to deploy small reconnaissance satellites to a constellation closer to Earth's atmosphere at an altitude low enough for them to circle Earth quickly. SpaceX will launch its famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world's most active, to deliver the satellites to space. How to watch SpaceX launch livestream Californians, of course, have plenty of opportunities to see a rocket in person both near the launch site as it lifts off, and further away as it soars overhead. But SpaceX also provides a live webcast of its missions for those who prefer to watch from home or for those viewing the launch locally and looking for updates in real-time. As with most SpaceX missions, the launch will be available to stream on the company's website and its new X TV mobile app, beginning about 10 minutes before liftoff. SpaceX may also provide updates on social media site X. Does Elon Musk own SpaceX? What to know about rocket company SpaceX is the commercial spaceflight company that billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man, founded in 2002 and leads as the CEO. SpaceX is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city. As a major government contractor, SpaceX serves as the launch service provider for a variety of government missions both civil and military. For the Department of Defense, SpaceX's Falcon 9 helps launch classified satellites and other payloads into space. And for NASA, Falcon 9 most often helps propel astronauts to the International Space Station on SpaceX's Dragon crew capsule – the only U.S vehicle capable of carrying NASA astronauts to orbit.

Source: The Desert Sun

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