SpaceX Launch Today: New Schedule for Vandenberg's Final 2025 Mission

SpaceX Launch Today: New Schedule for Vandenberg's Final 2025 Mission

The anticipation for the Grand Finale of SpaceX's 2025 launch calendar has reached its peak. After a last-minute scrub yesterday due to a ground system issue, the team at Vandenberg Space Force Base is resetting the clock for today, Sunday, December 28. This mission is not just another routine flight; it represents the closing chapter of a record-breaking year for spaceflight. The payload, an advanced Italian Earth observation satellite known as CSG-FM3, is ready for its journey to low Earth orbit. With the new T-0 set for this evening, skywatchers and space enthusiasts across California are preparing for a spectacular twilight show.

SpaceX Falcon 9 awaits liftoff at SLC-4E for the final mission of 2025.

Tonight's launch window is instantaneous, meaning the rocket must lift off exactly at the scheduled second. The Falcon 9 booster, tail number B1081, is aiming for its 21st and likely final flight, targeting a landing back at Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) just minutes after liftoff. 

This return-to-launch-site profile often generates a sonic boom audible across Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties. Whether you are watching from the coast or tuning in online, this event promises to be a fitting end to a massive year in aerospace.

Updated Launch Schedule

Following yesterday's scrub, the timeline has been adjusted by exactly 24 hours. The new schedule places the launch in the early evening, which could provide stunning visual effects known as the "jellyfish phenomenon" if the sunlight catches the exhaust plume at high altitude. Below are the critical times you need to know to catch the action live.

1. Launch Time (T-0) 📌The rocket is scheduled to lift off at 6:08 p.m. PST sharp.This translates to 9:08 p.m. EST for East Coast viewers and 02:08 UTC on Monday for international audiences.
2. Live Stream Start 📌SpaceX typically begins their official broadcast on X (formerly Twitter) about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Expect the stream to go live around 5:53 p.m. PST.
3. Booster Landing 📌Approximately 8 minutes after launch, the first stage will touch down at Landing Zone 4. Listen for the sonic boom shortly after this milestone.
4. Payload Deployment 📌The second stage will continue into orbit, with the CSG-FM3 satellite deployment expected roughly 14 to 15 minutes into the flight.
5. Backup Opportunity 📌If weather or technical issues intervene again today, a backup opportunity is available tomorrow, Monday, December 29, at approximately the same time.

In short, be ready at 6:00 p.m. PST to ensure you don't miss the countdown. The precision of this schedule is vital for the satellite to reach its specific sun-synchronous orbit.

Why Was Yesterday's Launch Scrubbed?

Scrubbing a launch is never an easy decision, but safety and mission success always come first. The hold called on Saturday, December 27, was due to a ground system issue at Space Launch Complex 4E. These systems control everything from propellant loading to the final hold-down clamps that keep the rocket grounded until full thrust is achieved.

• The Issue Sensors detected an anomaly in the ground support equipment during the final propellant load sequence.
• Safety Protocols The automated countdown sequencer halted the clock to prevent any risk to the vehicle or the payload.
• Quick Resolution Engineering teams have spent the last 24 hours inspecting and resetting the valves and sensors involved, clearing the way for today's attempt.
• Weather Status Weather was not a factor in the scrub and remains favorable for today's attempt, with a high probability of "Go" conditions.

Note: A "scrub" does not mean a failure. It is a standard safety procedure to ensure 100% readiness. The rocket and payload remain healthy and secure on the pad. 

Mission Profile: The Grand Finale

This mission carries the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG-FM3) satellite for the Italian Space Agency and Ministry of Defence. It is a state-of-the-art radar satellite designed to provide high-resolution Earth observation data day or night, regardless of weather conditions.

The launch vehicle itself is a veteran of the fleet. Booster B1081 is making its 21st flight, a testament to the incredible reusability achieved by the Falcon 9 program. This booster has previously supported NASA crew missions and critical cargo deliveries, making it one of the most reliable cores in operation.

Today's flight path will take the rocket south over the Pacific Ocean. The first stage will separate and perform a "boost-back" burn to return to the launch site, while the second stage powers the Italian satellite into a polar orbit. This specific trajectory is what makes Vandenberg the ideal launch site for Earth-observing missions.

Where to Watch

Viewing a launch from Vandenberg is a unique experience. Unlike Florida launches that head out over the open Atlantic, California launches often follow the coastline, allowing millions of people to see the ascent. Here are the best strategies for viewing today's event.

1. Official Locations 👉 The Hawk's Nest on Hwy 1 just south of Vandenberg AFB is a prime spot, though it fills up quickly. Arrive early if you plan to go there.
2. Santa Barbara & Goleta 👉 Any beach facing west/northwest, such as specialized viewing areas at Camino Real Marketplace or simply the bluffs at Ellwood, offers a great view of the climb.
3. Lompoc Area 👉 West Ocean Avenue provides a direct line of sight to the launch plume as it rises above the hills.
4. Online Viewing 👉 If you are not local, the best seat is the official SpaceX X (Twitter) stream. Spaceflight Now and other space news outlets also host excellent commentary on YouTube.
5. Sonic Boom Warning 👉 Residents in Lompoc, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo should expect a loud boom about 8 minutes after launch. This is the sound of the first stage returning to land.

By choosing the right spot and arriving early, you can witness the raw power of 1.7 million pounds of thrust lighting up the evening sky.

A Record-Breaking 2025

As the final mission of 2025, this launch caps off an extraordinary year for SpaceX. The company has shattered its own previous records for launch cadence, putting hundreds of Starlink satellites into orbit, launching massive Starship test flights, and supporting critical national security missions.

• Over 120 Launches 2025 saw SpaceX launching on average every few days, a pace unmatched in aerospace history.
• Reusability Milestones Boosters like B1081 pushing past 20 flights proves that rapid reuse is not just a concept, but a daily operational reality.
• Global Connectivity The expansion of the Starlink constellation this year has brought high-speed internet to some of the most remote corners of the globe.
• West Coast Activity Vandenberg has become busier than ever, hosting dozens of launches and landings that have become a regular part of life for Central Coast residents.

This final mission of 2025 is a celebration of operational excellence. It sets the stage for 2026, where we expect even higher launch rates and more ambitious missions to the Moon and beyond.

Conclusion: Today's launch is more than just a satellite deployment; it is the curtain call for a historic year in space exploration. With the ground systems fixed and the weather looking good, all systems are go for a 6:08 p.m. PST liftoff. Whether you are a space fanatic or just a casual observer, take a moment this evening to look up. You might just see the future of humanity rocketing towards the stars one last time in 2025.