SpaceX Prepares for Fourth April Starlink Launch from Vandenberg, Sonic Booms Anticipated
April 17, 2026
SpaceX plans a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base to deploy 25 Starlink satellites, marking a fourth April liftoff from this site.
The mission will lift off from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) and place the 25 Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit.
The rocket’s trajectory is southern, which may limit visibility for viewers in some areas, though SpaceX will provide a livestream.
Post-launch, the first-stage booster is expected to land on the Pacific Ocean drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' for reuse.
The booster has previously supported missions including Sentinel-6B and Twilight, as well as five prior Starlink launches.
SpaceX will stream the mission starting about five minutes before liftoff on spacex.com and the X TV app, with updates on X.
A live webcast will also be available via SpaceX’s website, X (Twitter), and the X TV mobile app, beginning roughly five minutes before liftoff.
Residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties should anticipate possible sonic booms lasting up to about 10 minutes after liftoff.
Public viewing on Vandenberg Base is not allowed, but multiple recommended viewing locations exist across Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.
Viewing spots in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties include popular beaches and intersections near Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, and other coastal areas.
The article also lists viewing locations in Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Oceano Dunes, Morro Strand State Beach, and nearby Santa Barbara County sites for optimal viewing angles.
Weather-related postponements are possible, and updates should be checked with local outlets prior to the launch.
Summary based on 4 sources
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