The Vandenberg space launch schedule is busy again. SpaceX launched the classified USSF-432 mission for the U.S. Space Force from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday, Nov. 6, at 4:48 p.m. PT. Two more Space Force missions are lined up within the next week, along with several launches targeted for later in November.
Rocket launch dates change often, so treat every date below as a target until the base or SpaceX confirms a window.
What Just Launched: USSF-432
A Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at sunset, according to Space.com’s launch report. It was SpaceX’s 125th launch of 2026, and the 119th Falcon 9 flight of the year.
The mission slipped several days from an original early-November target. The booster, on its eighth flight, landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific. Little has been disclosed about the payload.
Vandenberg Space Launch Schedule: Upcoming Missions
Dates below come from public launch trackers and are not official confirmations. Times are Pacific.
| Mission | Rocket | Target (Pacific) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USSF-627 (“R-5”) | Falcon 9 | Nov. 9, about 7:03 p.m. | U.S. Space Force mission |
| USSF-317 | Falcon 9 | Nov. 12, about 8:23 p.m. | U.S. Space Force mission |
| Starlink Group 15-21 | Falcon 9 | November, date TBD | Starlink batch |
| NROL-195 | Falcon 9 | November, date TBD | National Reconnaissance Office |
| OneWeb 21 | Falcon 9 | November, date TBD | Commercial satellite launch |
Trackers also list one Vandenberg launch on the manifest for December. The U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer C mission is penciled in for the fourth quarter of 2026. No firm date has been published for either.
Why Vandenberg Launch Dates Keep Moving
USSF-432 is a good example. It was first listed for Nov. 3 and moved to Nov. 4, then to Nov. 5, and finally flew Nov. 6. Weather, range conditions, hardware checks and mission readiness can each push a launch back.
Classified and national-security missions often reveal less ahead of time. Official windows may appear only a day or two before liftoff.
Why Vandenberg Matters for the Launch Calendar
Vandenberg sits on California’s Central Coast and is the main U.S. launch site for polar and sun-synchronous orbits. Rockets fly south over open Pacific water, which Florida launches can’t do safely for those orbits.
The pace is also climbing. SpaceX’s 72nd California launch of 2026 came on Oct. 27, which was already more than the 71 it flew from the state in all of 2025, according to regional reporting.
How to Watch a Vandenberg Launch
The base itself is restricted, but public spots around the Lompoc Valley offer views. Explore Lompoc’s launch viewing guide lists several options, including:
- Allan Hancock College in Lompoc
- Riverbend Park in Lompoc
- Providence Landing Park in Vandenberg Village
Some once-popular spots, including Hawk’s Nest, have been listed as closed, so check current access before you drive out. Arrive early, bring warm layers for evening launches, and expect fog to block views on some nights.
Most SpaceX launches also stream live on the company’s launch page, usually starting about 10 minutes before liftoff.
Will You Hear a Sonic Boom?
It depends on the mission. When a booster returns to land at Vandenberg, residents in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties may hear one or more sonic booms. How far the sound carries depends on weather and atmospheric conditions.
Droneship landings at sea are less likely to produce booms on land, but base notices sometimes flag the possibility anyway. Check the notice for each launch.
What to Watch Next
- Official launch notices from the base, usually posted a few days ahead
- Window changes for the two Space Force missions on Nov. 9 and Nov. 12
- Dates for Starlink 15-21, NROL-195 and OneWeb 21, which are still unset
- Future Vulcan launches from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex 3E, which have not been given firm dates
FAQ: Vandenberg Space Launch Schedule
When is the next launch from Vandenberg?
Trackers list USSF-627 for about 7:03 p.m. PT on Nov. 9, but that could change.
What launched from Vandenberg most recently?
USSF-432, a classified Space Force mission, launched Nov. 6 at 4:48 p.m. PT.
Where can I find official launch times?
The base and SpaceX publish official windows, often only a day or two ahead. Third-party trackers are useful for planning but are not confirmations.
Can I watch a Vandenberg launch in person?
Yes, from public viewing areas outside the base, mainly around Lompoc. Check whether your chosen spot is open first.
Are Vandenberg launches visible from Los Angeles or San Diego?
On clear evenings, some launches can be seen across Southern California. Visibility depends on timing, weather and your viewing angle.
Do all launches cause sonic booms?
No. Booms are mainly linked to boosters returning to land at the base.
Why do classified launches have so little public information?
Agencies often limit payload details for national-security reasons, so the public usually learns only the mission name and the launch window.
Which Vandenberg launches are expected in November?
Trackers list USSF-627, USSF-317, Starlink 15-21, NROL-195 and OneWeb 21, though only some have dates.
Will you be watching the next Vandenberg launch in person or online? Share your viewing spot in the comments and check back for updates.