SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from California this Saturday night, as part of a secret military mission.
Details remain scarce, including what the two-stage rocket will actually be carrying.
The launch is scheduled to take place at 6:50 p.m. from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc.
If anything goes wrong and the launch has to be postponed, there’s a backup attempt lined up for Sunday at 2:38 p.m.
Some reports in the space industry suggest that this sensitive mission might involve placing a network of military satellites into low Earth orbit.
Earlier this week, SpaceX announced its role as the launch provider for missions associated with the U.S. Space Force.
Despite the secretive nature of the payload, SpaceX plans to live stream the launch, starting about ten minutes before liftoff.
The Falcon 9, towering at 230 feet, is expected to carry a mysterious payload into space, with its booster aiming for a landing on a SpaceX drone ship located in the Pacific Ocean.
This controlled landing is critical as it allows SpaceX to reuse the booster for subsequent missions, which is a part of their innovative approach. Residents in surrounding areas might hear one or more sonic booms, though experiences will differ based on weather conditions.
