Central California Residents May Experience Sonic Boom

Source: Vandenberg Air Force Base

Team Vandenberg is scheduled to support launch of the SAOCOM 1A satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4E on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 7:21 p.m. PDT.

SpaceX is attempting the secondary mission of landing the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket at Landing Zone 4, which was previously called SLC-4W, at Vandenberg Air Force Base. This will be SpaceX’s first land landing attempt at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Local residents may see the first stage of the Falcon 9 returning to Vandenberg AFB, including multiple engine burns associated with the landing. During the landing attempt residents from Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties may hear one or more sonic booms. A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves from an aircraft or vehicle traveling faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate a sound similar to an explosion or a clap of thunder. The sonic boom experienced will depend on weather conditions and other factors.

For information regarding the launch or public viewing locations, go to the 30th Space Wing Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/30thSpaceWing/ or contact 30th Space Wing Public Affairs at (805) 606-3595.