A SpaceX rocket may be visible in Arizona this weekend: Where, when to see Falcon 9
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the internet-beaming satellites could get off the ground from the Vandenberg Space Force Base before the end of the weekend, if all goes to plan. The impending rocket launch would be the latest Starlink delivery from Southern California since July 18 and the state's second spaceflight within a week after NASA sent two science satellites into orbit for its TRACERS mission July 23.
Billionaire Elon Musk's rocket company has of late bolstered its orbital Starlink deployments from Vandenberg – providing entertainment to space enthusiasts and angering some Santa Barbara County residents opposed to the increased launches.
As you make your rocket viewing plans, though, an important disclaimer to keep in mind is this: Launches can be – and often are – scrubbed or delayed due to any number of factors, including poor weather conditions or unexpected issues with spacecraft. Check back with azcentral.com for any updates on the rocket launch.
In the meantime, here's what to know about the launch from Southern California, as well as when and where to potentially spot the rocket in neighboring Arizona:
California rocket launches: SpaceX rocket launches have increased in California, and not all residents are happy
What time is the SpaceX rocket launch from California?
A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory indicates the launch is being targeted for Sunday, July 27, with backup opportunities available the following day, if needed.
However, multiple websites dedicated to tracking rocket launches instead suggest the launch window could open as early as 8:55 p.m. PT Saturday, July 26.
Neither the Vandenberg Space Force Base, nor SpaceX, have yet officially confirmed the launch.
Where is the next rocket launch from California?
The launch will take place from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Most launches from Vandenberg fly at a south or southeast trajectory.
What is the next mission launching from Vandenberg?
The spaceflight will make use of the company's famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world's most active, to deliver Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.
The altitude is low enough to allow for things like satellites to circle Earth fairly quickly.
How to watch SpaceX Starlink launch livestream
SpaceX will provide a webcast of the Starlink launch on its website beginning about five minutes before liftoff, along with updates on social media site X.
California rocket launch could be visible in Arizona: Where to watch
Because of Arizona's proximity to the launch site, there's a good chance people there can see the spacecraft streak across the sky, especially at night or very early morning.
Here's a list of some possible viewing locations compiled by The Arizona Republic, a USA TODAY Network publication.
Dobbins Lookout, South Mountain, 10919 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, Arizona
Papago Park, 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona
Fountain Hills, a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, which in 2018 was designated a Dark Sky Community with little light pollution
Superstition Mountains, located 40 miles from metro Phoenix in Arizona
Cave Creek, a town in Maricopa County about 30 miles north of Fountain Hills, Arizona
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, 3400 Sky Harbor Blvd., Arizona, which has a parking garage that is popular for plane-watching
Black Canyon City, an unincorporated community in Yavapai County, Arizona
Any mountain park in Arizona
, 14805 W. Vineyard Ave., Goodyear, Arizona
, 2600 N. Watson Road, Buckeye, Arizona
, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell, Arizona
, 6533 W. Phillips Road, Queen Creek, Arizona
Monument Hill, a 150-foot slope on 115th Avenue, in Arizona
What is SpaceX?
Elon Musk, the world's richest man, founded SpaceX in 2002.
The commercial spaceflight company 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.
SpaceX conducts many of its own rocket launches, most using the Falcon 9 rocket, from both California and Florida. That includes a regular cadence of deliveries of Starlink internet satellites into orbit, and occasional privately-funded commercial crewed missions on the Dragon.
The most recent of SpaceX's private human spaceflights, a mission known as Fram2, took place in April. SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024.
SpaceX additionally benefits from billions of dollars in contracts from NASA and the Department of Defense by providing launch services for classified satellites and other payloads.
What is Starlink?
Owned by Musk, Starlink is a constellation of more than 7,000 satellites that provide internet service to customers around the world. SpaceX has spent more than six years delivering the satellites to orbit with a regular cadence of rocket launches from both Florida and California.
While most satellite internet services operate from single geostationary satellites orbiting Earth at about 22,236 miles, Starlink is a constellation of thousands of satellites that operate from a low-Earth orbit, about 341 miles up. That allows Starlink's satellites to have lower latency and data time between user and the satellite, improving performance of things like streaming, online gaming and video calls.
Residential plans for Starlink services start at $80 per month.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: SpaceX rocket launch may be visible in Arizona: Where to see Falcon 9
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why NIKE (NKE) Could Be a Comeback Story Among the Dogs of the Dow
NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is included among the 11 Dogs of the Dow Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. A close-up of a hand holding a casual sneaker with the Nike logo on it. The world's biggest footwear company stated on Thursday that existing tariffs might push its costs up by around $1 billion. This announcement followed the release of its fiscal fourth-quarter 2025 results, which managed to surpass estimates. In fiscal Q4 2025, NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) reported revenue of $11.1 billion, which fell by nearly 12% from the same period last year. However, the revenue surpassed analysts' estimates by $373.5 million. The fourth quarter marked the period with the most significant financial impact from the company's 'Win Now' initiatives, and management expects these pressures to ease going forward. Leadership expressed confidence in the firm's ability to steer through the current unpredictable environment by maintaining focus on controllable factors and effectively carrying out the 'Win Now' strategy. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE)'s cash position also remained stable. The company ended the year with cash and equivalents and short-term investments of $9.2 billion. During the year, it returned $2.3 billion to shareholders through dividends. The company offers a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.10%, as of July 26. It has raised its payouts for 23 consecutive years. While we acknowledge the potential of NKE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNN
18 minutes ago
- CNN
Last look: Trump's lofty plan to weaponize space
Fareed explains why President Donald Trump's ambitious new missile defense plan — called 'Golden Dome' — could set a dangerous precedent as the world's first major arms deployment into space.
Fox News
18 minutes ago
- Fox News
This EV has a face, and it talks back with AI
Walking up to your car and seeing it recognize you, light up with a digital smile and respond to your voice used to be something only seen in TV shows and movies. Now, LA-based Faraday Future is making that experience a reality. At its California headquarters, the company recently unveiled the FX Super One, a tech-packed electric vehicle featuring the F.A.C.E., short for Front AI Communication Ecosystem. This expressive LED grille gives the car personality, allowing it to connect through light, sound and even emotional cues. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my The FX Super One is an electric MPV designed with flexibility and intelligence at its core. It offers two types of powertrains, including a fully electric option and a hybrid setup known as AI Hybrid Extended Range. All-wheel drive comes standard, and the wheelbase is extended to create what Faraday calls Magic Space, a spacious interior that adapts to various needs. Seating configurations vary, but one standout version, called GOAT, features four seats, including luxurious zero-gravity recliners in the back. These are paired with a wide panoramic display and even a built-in refrigerator. Other versions can seat six or seven passengers and include smart cabin lighting, high-end materials and a fully digital infotainment system designed for interaction. Instead of just lighting up like a typical grille, the F.A.C.E. uses AI to sense people nearby and respond with dynamic visuals. It listens to voice commands and reacts with animations that can show emotion or deliver information. It's powered by Faraday's Embodied Intelligence Agent system, which links the grille with other AI-driven features inside the car. The system works when the vehicle is parked and is designed to create a sense of connection between the driver and the machine. Voice recognition, camera input and learned behavior all feed into how the car responds. Over time, it adjusts its reactions based on how you use it. You might see calming patterns after a long day or playful responses when you greet it in the morning. The F.A.C.E. is only part of the story. The FX Super One also comes loaded with smart safety tools powered by the same AI system. These include a 360-degree sensor suite that combines cameras, radar and lidar for full environmental awareness. The cabin features a quick-starting operating system that lets passengers customize their experience on the go. As for driving, the car's architecture supports intelligent assistance that helps reduce risk and make decisions based on both data and context. The goal isn't just automation, it's collaboration between the driver and the vehicle. More than 10,000 people have already pre-ordered the FX Super One, indicating rapidly growing interest in the vehicle. Faraday Future plans to start production in late 2025 at its Hanford, California, plant. This aggressive timeline demonstrates the brand's renewed drive to gain momentum in the competitive EV market. With the FX Super One, Faraday Future delivers bold innovations that go beyond speed, range or luxury. The company envisions a new era of mobility defined by personality and human connection. Faraday Future is targeting a price for the FX Super One of under $100,000. You can reserve your FX Super One now with a refundable $100 deposit on Faraday Future's official website. The FX Super One feels like more than an electric vehicle. It brings personality to the road with its talking grille, adaptive cabin and emotionally aware AI. Faraday Future is leaning into connection and creativity, offering a car that responds to your presence and remembers how you interact with it. Whether the F.A.C.E. becomes a must-have feature or just a fun extra, it adds something fresh to the EV space. Would you drive a car that smiles at you and knows when you're having a bad day? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
