Is there a rocket launch today from California? While schedules in the space world are famously dynamic, June 2025 is proving to be an active month for launches from the California coast, offering multiple opportunities to witness a spectacular liftoff.
All orbital rocket launches originating from California lift off from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, located in Santa Barbara County. This critical spaceport serves as the West Coast hub for deploying satellites into polar orbits, necessary for many Earth-observation and weather satellites, as well as expanding satellite constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink.
Targeted Rocket Launches from Vandenberg: June 2025
June 2025 has already seen significant activity from Vandenberg, building on a busy May. Following three SpaceX Falcon 9 launches in the first half of the month dedicated to deploying Starlink satellites, Californians have opportunities to see more missions soar overhead.
A key launch occurred on Monday, June 16, 2025. SpaceX successfully launched 26 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg. The liftoff happened at 8:36 p.m. PT. This mission, designated Starlink 15-9, was notable as the 200th orbital launch from SLC-4E since its activation in 1964. The Falcon 9 rocket’s booster (tail number B1093) successfully landed on the drone ship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ in the Pacific Ocean, marking the 463rd overall booster landing for SpaceX. The twilight launch provided a stunning spectacle visible across Southern California and the Southwest.
Looking ahead, Californians may have more opportunities to see rockets fly before the month is out. At least two additional missions are currently being targeted from Vandenberg:
Targeted Friday, June 20: SpaceX Transporter 14
Agency: SpaceX
Mission: Dedicated rideshare flight carrying dozens of small satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit for various paying customers. (A sun-synchronous orbit ensures satellites pass over a given point on Earth at the same local solar time, useful for consistent imaging).
Rocket: Falcon 9 (a 230-foot, two-stage rocket)
Targeted Launch Window: 2:19 p.m. PT on Friday, June 20
Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E), Vandenberg Space Force Base
Booster Landing: Targeted Return to Launch Site (RTLS) landing near the pad.
Targeted June, TBA: NAOS
Agency: SpaceX
Mission: Deploy the National Advanced Optical System (NAOS), a reconnaissance satellite for Luxembourg’s military.
Rocket: Falcon 9 (a 230-foot, two-stage rocket)
Targeted Launch Window: To Be Announced (TBA)
Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E), Vandenberg Space Force Base
It’s important to remember that these are targeted dates, and rocket launch schedules are frequently updated.
Understanding the Schedule: Delays Are Common
If a specific date is listed for a launch you want to see, it’s crucial to stay updated. Rocket launches are subject to delays, often referred to as “scrubs,” for a variety of reasons. These can include:
Unfavorable weather conditions (wind, rain, upper atmospheric conditions)
Minor technical issues with the rocket or spacecraft
Range availability conflicts
Official confirmation from Vandenberg Space Force Base and SpaceX typically occurs only about 24 hours before the planned liftoff time. Keeping an eye on official sources and reputable launch tracking websites is key.
How to See a Vandenberg Launch
While Vandenberg is an active military base with no public access to the launch pads, the good news is that Falcon 9 launches from SLC-4E are often visible across a wide area, sometimes even hundreds of miles away in places like Phoenix, Arizona, or Merced, California, given clear skies. Launches during twilight or at night can create particularly stunning visual effects.
For those closer to the base, several public locations offer good vantage points in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Recommended viewing spots in the Lompoc area (Santa Barbara County) include:
Ocean Park (approx. 4 miles away)
Allan Hancock College (approx. 9 miles away)
Riverbend Park
Designated viewing areas near the base perimeter like 13th Street and Arguello Boulevard, and Floradale Avenue and West Ocean Avenue.
- Surf Beach (check for closures), which offers views of ignition and liftoff from SLC-4E.
- www.vcstar.com
- spaceflightnow.com
- www.azcentral.com
- www.visaliatimesdelta.com
- www.desertsun.com
In San Luis Obispo County, beaches like Avila, Pismo, and the Oceano Dunes often provide views, as do trails in the hills like Cerro San Luis Obispo and Ontario Ridge Trail.
If you can’t make it in person, SpaceX typically provides a live webcast of their launches on their website, usually starting a few minutes before liftoff. Following SpaceX’s social media (like X) is also a good way to get real-time updates on launch status.
Behind the Launches: SpaceX & Starlink
Most launches from Vandenberg these days are conducted by SpaceX, the company founded by Elon Musk in 2002. SpaceX operates the two-stage Falcon 9 rocket, a workhorse known for its reusability, which significantly reduces the cost of space access.
A large portion of these missions supports SpaceX’s own project, Starlink. This is a growing constellation of over 7,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit designed to provide global internet coverage. Unlike traditional satellite internet that uses single satellites far away in geostationary orbit (causing high latency), Starlink satellites orbit much closer to Earth (around 340 miles up), drastically improving latency for activities like streaming and online gaming. SpaceX is continuously launching more satellites to expand this network.
Whether you’re a seasoned space enthusiast or just looking for a unique spectacle, keep an eye on the schedule for opportunities to witness California’s spaceflight activity this June!
