SpaceX issues Thursday sonic boom advisory for Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg

SpaceX has issued a sonic boom advisory for the upcoming Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg. On Thursday, September 23 at 7:16 PM PT, the company’s Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch a spy satellite for the United States Space Force. The advisory is to inform the public of the possibility of sonic booms as the rocket breaks the sound barrier during lift-off and landing. According to the advisory, people in the surrounding areas may hear and feel multiple sonic booms as the rocket returns to Earth. The advisory includes a map showing the affected areas, which include parts of California, Arizona, and Nevada. This is not the first time that SpaceX has issued such an advisory, as sonic booms are a common side effect of space launches. The company has taken measures to minimize the impact of the noise on the surrounding communities, and they have also made efforts to communicate clearly with the public so that they are aware of what to expect.

As space exploration continues to advance, it is important for companies like SpaceX to be transparent about the potential impacts of their launches. Although sonic booms can be startling, they are a necessary part of the process, and it is crucial for the public to be informed in advance. By issuing advisories like this one, SpaceX is showing its commitment to responsible space exploration and to being a good neighbor to communities near its launch sites. As more and more companies enter the space race, it is likely that we will see more efforts like this to manage the impact of space launches on the surrounding areas.