SpaceX Set to Launch Falcon 9 Rocket from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base

In a cloak-and-dagger operation, SpaceX is poised to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from California on Saturday night, setting the stage for a mysterious military mission.

Dubbed USSF-366, the operation remains shrouded in secrecy, with details about the payload inside the two-stage rocket closely guarded.

The launch is slated for a liftoff at 6:50 p.m. from Vandenberg Space Force Base, located in Lompoc.

Should weather or technical issues arise, SpaceX has earmarked a backup opportunity on Sunday at 2:38 p.m.

Speculation from spaceflight analysts suggests the mission could involve deploying a suite of military satellites destined for low-Earth orbit.

SpaceX announced late this week that it would serve as the launch provider for the US Space Force mission.

Despite the cloak-and-dagger nature of the payload, SpaceX plans to livestream the launch beginning about 10 minutes before liftoff.

The 230-foot Falcon 9 will haul the mysterious payload into space before its booster attempts to stick the landing on SpaceX’s drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You, in the Pacific Ocean.

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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.