SpaceX to attempt rare booster landing after next Vandenberg launch

SpaceX plans to attempt a rare booster landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base after its June 18 Falcon 9 launch, marking the third such landing attempt in 2026. The mission, NROL-179, will deploy military reconnaissance satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Space Launch Complex 4-East in Santa Barbara County, California." "article": "SpaceX will attempt a rare booster landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base following its next launch from California on June 18, 2026. The mission, scheduled for an early morning window between 1:54 and 2:29 a.m. PT, will see the Falcon 9 rocket deploy military satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) under the NROL-179 mission. This is the third time in 2026 SpaceX will attempt a landing at the base instead of its usual drone ship recovery, a maneuver last performed in May. The launch will take place at Space Launch Complex 4-East (SLC-4E), located in Santa Barbara County, with the rocket flying on a southeast trajectory. The NROL-179 mission involves deploying small reconnaissance satellites as part of the NRO’s ‘proliferated architecture,’ a constellation of satellites orbiting closer to Earth for faster data collection. Californians may notice louder sonic booms due to the booster’s return, as the landing will occur shortly after liftoff. The launch window extends to June 19 if weather or technical issues delay the mission, with updates available from the Federal Aviation Administration. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, standing at 230 feet tall, will carry the payload into low-Earth orbit. The Vandenberg base, leased by SpaceX, remains an active military site, though nearby areas offer viewing opportunities for the public. Residents should check for potential postponements, as spaceflight schedules often shift due to unforeseen circumstances.