SpaceX is preparing to send a Falcon 9 rocket into the night sky from California on Saturday, carrying out a tightly guarded national security launch for the U.S. military.
The mission, identified as USSF-366, remains largely under wraps, with officials revealing few details about the payload riding inside the two-stage rocket.
Liftoff is targeted for 6:50 p.m. from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, a key West Coast launch site for military and orbital missions.
Should weather or technical issues force a delay, SpaceX has a backup launch opportunity set for Sunday at 2:38 p.m.
While the mission is classified, multiple spaceflight trackers and industry outlets have suggested it may involve placing a group of military satellites into low-Earth orbit.
SpaceX confirmed late in the week that it had been selected as the launch provider for the U.S. Space Force operation.
Even with the payload’s details kept secret, SpaceX is expected to stream the Falcon 9 launch live, with coverage beginning roughly 10 minutes before liftoff.
After the 230-foot Falcon 9 carries the undisclosed cargo toward orbit, its first-stage booster is slated to attempt a landing on SpaceX’s Pacific Ocean drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You.
The controlled landing allows SpaceX to recover and reuse the booster for future missions.
SpaceX said people in those counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, although what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.
