SpaceX Dragon returns to Earth, triggers sonic boom in Southern California
residents were left alarmed on Saturday evening after hearing a powerful
sonic boom
caused by the re-entry of the
SpaceX Dragon
spacecraft. The noise, described by many as a loud boom accompanied by a rattling sensation, occurred as the uncrewed capsule returned from the International Space Station (ISS), carrying over 6,700 pounds of scientific research, equipment and crew supplies. The Dragon had undocked earlier in the day and was scheduled to splash down off the southern California coast around 10.44pm. SpaceX had issued an alert shortly before re-entry, but the sudden sonic boom still surprised many locals.
SpaceX Dragon's return from the ISS
The Dragon spacecraft had been docked at the ISS since 22 April, following its launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on 21 April. Its return marked the completion of another resupply mission, during which it delivered essential materials for crew use and various scientific experiments. After undocking on Saturday afternoon, the spacecraft re-entered Earth's atmosphere in the evening, resulting in the sonic boom heard across Southern California.
Rattled communities near Vandenberg
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
[부산 한정] 빠진 치아 1개도 10개도 33만원에 임플란트 해드려요!
플란치과
더 알아보기
Undo
The boom was particularly noticeable to residents living near
Vandenberg Space Force Base
in Santa Barbara County. This area has become accustomed to such sonic events due to the increasing frequency of SpaceX operations. Although the public had been notified via a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the startling nature of the boom drew attention and concern from the local population.
Sonic booms becoming more frequent
Sonic booms from spacecraft re-entries are not new to the region, but their frequency is rising. Local newspapers report that both SpaceX and U.S. Space Force officials are aware of the growing concern. Despite this, there has been no indication that measures will be taken to reduce the noise. In fact, SpaceX CEO
Elon Musk
has said the company plans to launch over 90 rockets from the base by 2026, indicating that these booms may become even more common.
SpaceX's recent setbacks
The company's growing launch schedule comes despite some recent challenges. In January, a SpaceX Starship rocket exploded shortly after lift-off from its Texas facility. Just two months later, another rocket suffered the same fate, prompting a temporary grounding of flights and warnings regarding the potential danger of falling debris. These incidents have drawn attention to the risks of frequent space launches and raised questions about safety protocols.
The future of frequent launches
As SpaceX continues to expand its ambitions for space exploration, the effects on communities near launch and landing sites are becoming more evident. While the return of spacecraft like Dragon demonstrates technological progress and contributes to scientific research, the accompanying disturbances such as sonic booms are a growing concern for residents. For now, it appears that these events will remain a regular feature of life in Southern California.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
India looks full of ambition, fearless from space: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
India looks full of ambition, fearless, confident and full of pride from space, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla said on Sunday as he wrapped up his 18-day stay at the International Space Station "Even today, Bharat looks 'saare jahan se accha' from above," Shukla said, reprising the iconic words of India's first astronaut Rakesh Sharma , who travelled to space as part of a Russian mission in 1984. Shukla was speaking at a farewell ceremony for Axiom-4 mission astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) who are set to begin their return journey to the Earth on Monday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shape your journey in the unforgiving desert world of Arrakis! Shop Now Undo "It almost seems magical to me... It has been a fantastic journey for me," Shukla said of his stay at the ISS, which began on June 26. The Indian astronaut said he was taking with him a lot of memories and learnings that he will share with his countrymen. Live Events The Axiom-4 mission undocks from the ISS on Monday and is expected to splash down off the California coast on Tuesday. The Axiom-4 mission with pilot Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu began their space odyssey on June 25 when the Falcon-9 rocket carrying the Dragon space capsule blasted off from Florida towards the ISS. Shukla exuded a feeling of pride, gratitude, and hope for India's future space journey at the farewell. "It has been a fantastic journey (kamaal ki yatra rahi hai). Now this journey is coming to an end. But the journey of our human space flight is very long. It is also difficult," he said. "But, let me assure you that if we decide, then even stars are attainable (taara api prapyante)," he said, sharing a Sanskrit phrase. Recalling his icon Rakesh Sharma, Shukla said 41 years ago, an Indian travelled to space and described how India looked from there. "We all are still curious to know how India looks today from above. Aaj ka Bharat mahatvakanshi dikhta hai. Aaj ka Bharat nidar dikhta hai, Aaj ka Bharat confident dikhta hai. Aaj ka Bharat garv se purna dikhta hai. (Today's India looks full of ambition, fearless, confident and full of pride)," Shukla said. "It is because of all these reasons, I can say it once again that today's India still looks 'saare jahan se accha'. Jaldi hi dharti pe mulakat karte hai (we will meet on earth soon)," he said. Shukla expressed his gratitude to the people who made the mission possible. "It has been made incredible by people on the space station. It was a joy to be working with professionals like you," he said, acknowledging both his Indian and international colleagues. He highlighted the mission's scientific achievements, outreach efforts, and the sense of wonder that comes from viewing the Earth from orbit. Shukla also expressed gratitude to Isro , Axiom Space , Nasa, and SpaceX for making the mission possible, and acknowledged the students and researchers back home who contributed to the outreach and science programmes. "...I agree with Tibor that these missions have far-reaching implications that go beyond science. And I believe it will do so in our country. I carry with me a lot of memories and learnings. But what stays with me most is what humanity can achieve when we all come together for a common goal," he said.
New Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Even today, Bharat looks 'saare jahan se accha' from space: Shubhanshu Shukla in AXIOM-4 farewell speech
NEW DELHI: India looks full of ambition, fearless, confident and full of pride from space, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla said on Sunday as he wrapped up his 18-day stay at the International Space Station "Even today, Bharat looks 'saare jahan se accha' from above," Shukla said, reprising the iconic words of India's first astronaut Rakesh Sharma, who travelled to space as part of a Russian mission in 1984. Shukla was speaking at a farewell ceremony for Axiom-4 mission astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) who are set to begin their return journey to Earth on Monday. "It almost seems magical to me. It has been a fantastic journey for me," Shukla said of his stay at the ISS, which began on June 26. The Indian astronaut said he was taking with him a lot of memories and learnings that he will share with his countrymen. The Axiom-4 mission undocks from the ISS on Monday and is expected to splash down off the California coast on Tuesday. The Axiom-4 mission with pilot Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu began their space odyssey on June 25 when the Falcon-9 rocket carrying the Dragon space capsule blasted off from Florida towards the ISS. Shukla exuded a feeling of pride, gratitude, and hope for India's future space journey at the farewell.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
India is still 'Sare Jahan Se Accha', says Shubhanshu Shukla in final message from space
Muhammad Iqbal's words 'Sare Jahan Se Accha' — better than the rest of the world — echoed in Space one more time, 41 years after it was first uttered by Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma. This time, it was astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla (Shux), who reiterated the sentiment from the International Space Station (ISS). In his final message from the ISS, Shux said in Hindi during the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) farewell ceremony on Sunday: 'Forty-one years ago, an Indian went to space and told us how India looked from space. And I'm sure all of us want to know how India looks today. Today's India looks ambitious, fearless, confident, filled with pride. And because of all of this, today's India still looks better than the whole world (Sare Jahan Se Accha). 'I've had a fantastic journey,' Shukla said, addressing fellow Indians watching back home. 'As this journey completes, our [yours and mine] journey is long. India's human spaceflight journey is both long and challenging. But I assure you, if we decide, even the stars are attainable,' he told Indians. Shukla's message capped an eventful two-and-a-half weeks aboard the ISS, where the Ax-4 crew conducted scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and education outreach activities. The crew also frequently found time to gaze back at Earth — a view that Shukla said 'almost seems magical.' Reflecting on his launch aboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket on June 25, Shukla said: 'I didn't imagine all of this when I started on the Falcon-9 on June 25. And I think it has been incredible because of the people involved. People standing behind me (referring to the Expedition 73 crew), have made it really special for us. It was an incredible joy to be here and work alongside professionals like you.' Shukla expressed gratitude to Isro, Axiom Space, Nasa, and SpaceX for making the mission possible, and acknowledged the students and researchers back home who contributed to the outreach and science programmes. '...I agree with Tibor [Kapu] that these missions have far reaching implications that go beyond science. And I believe it will do so in our country. I carry with me a lot of memories and learnings. But what stays with me most is what humanity can achieve when we all come together for a common goal,' he said. Ax-4 mission commander Peggy Whitson, mission specialists Tibor Kapu and Slawosz Uznanski also addressed people in their respective countries and thanked the Expedition 73 crew for making their stay at the ISS incredible. As per current plans, the crew is expected to undock from the ISS at 4.35pm on July 14 and splashdown off the coast of California at around 3pm on July 15.
