A recognizable yet odd scene might reappear over Nevada’s skies this weekend. The SpaceX rocket launch is set for soon. scheduled to occur on May 3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, aiming to deploy a group of Starlink satellites into orbit. Potential backup launch windows are available for Sunday.
SpaceX, which is owned by millionaire Elon Musk, plans to launch 26 satellites designed for providing internet connectivity. Starlink satellites for deployment into what's called low-Earth orbit – an altitude that allows for things like satellites to circle Earth fairly quickly.
The launch comes as the FAA, which licenses commercial rocket launches, has granted SpaceX permission to boost its Falcon 9 rocket launches From Vandenberg at $36 per year to $50.
Here's what to know about the launch, as well as when and where to watch it:
At what time is the SpaceX rocket launch scheduled?
A four-hour launch window for SpaceX to send up a fresh set of Starlink satellites opens at 11:13 a.m. on May 3rd. according to rocketlaunch.org .
The launch, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to deliver the satellites, will take place from Launch Complex 4E from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County in California.
Following the delivery and deployment of the satellites, the Falcon 9 rocket's booster will aim to land on a SpaceX drone ship, nicknamed "Of Course I Still Love You," in the Pacific Ocean. This allows for SpaceX personnel to recover the booster so it can be reused in future spaceflights.
How to watch SpaceX Starlink launch online from Nevada
SpaceX often provides livestreams of its launches on its website , alongside updates on social media site X However, information regarding a webcast for the forthcoming Starlink launch has yet to be disclosed as of May 2.
Where might one view the SpaceX launch from Nevada?
Although the liftoff might not be visible from Nevada, certain SpaceX launches, like the one that took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in early February, have been visible throughout the Silver State .
What is the Vandenberg Space Force Base located in California? Which rockets are launched from Vandenberg?
Founded in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base, formerly known as Vandenberg Air Force Base, serves as a location for various types of space missions including military, civilian, and commercial rocket launches.
Agencies such as NASA and corporations like SpaceX frequently dispatch spacecraft from Vandenberg, a location where missile tests are also conducted. For example, just recently, the Texas-based spaceflight firm Firefly Aerospace did so as well. tried to send prototype satellites into space for Lockheed Martin from the base.
What to know about Starlink
Controlled by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Starlink is a satellite network consisting of over 6,700 satellites that offer global internet services to consumers worldwide.
SpaceX, a private aerospace manufacturer, has been sending satellites into orbit for over six years through a consistent schedule of rocket launches from sites in Florida and California.
Nevertheless, last month, the billionnaire Jeff Bezos’ company Amazon finished its initial stage. in its competition with Starlink To send Kuiper satellites into low-Earth orbit. Bezos refers to this initiative as Project Kuiper, planning for its initial launch on April 28, 2025, from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station located in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
For the April 28 launch, Amazon contracted with United Launch Alliance to deliver the first 27 of more than 3,200 planned satellites into orbit for Project Kuiper.
Online, Project Kuiper has been referred to as the "Amazon rocket launch."
Eric Lagatta serves as the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at elagatta@gannett.com.
Carly Sauvageau provided input for this report.
The article initially appeared in the Reno Gazette Journal. Can you view the SpaceX launch scheduled for May 3 from Nevada? Here’s what you should know.
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