A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was successfully launched today at 7:25 a.m. from Vandenberg Space Force to deliver the U.S. military's first Weather System Follow-on -Microwave satellite to low-Earth orbit.
The launch into clear skies from Space Launch Complex-4 East could be seen — and heard.
Minutes after liftoff an audible sonic boom shook windows at nearby residences following a scheduled reentry of the first-stage reusable rocket booster that touched down at Landing Zone 4 on base.
"The launch of the WSF-M satellite represents a significant step forward in our mission to enhance our nation's space capabilities," said U.S. Space Force Col. Mark Shoemaker, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, in a post-launch statement.
The launch was supported by Guardians and Airmen of Space Launch Delta 30 who worked alongside Space Systems Command in Los Angeles and SpaceX personnel to facilitate Space Command’s Assured Access to Space team mission.
In a post-launch statement, SpaceX reported that the USSF-62 mission marked the first National Security Space Launch mission to lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in nearly two years.
Base officials said once in orbit, the weather satellite will provide U.S. and Allied warfighters with essential weather data, including the measurement of ocean surface wind speed and direction, ice thickness, snow depth, soil moisture, and local spacecraft Energetic Charged Particle environment.
The data gathered will aid meteorologists in the generation of a wide variety of weather products necessary to conduct mission planning and operations globally.
"Our dedicated Guardians and Airmen at Vandenberg ensure assured access to space, standing ready to support critical national security space launches when our nation calls,” Shoemaker said.