Because of Arizona’s proximity to the launch site, there’s a good chance people there can see the spacecraft streak across the sky, especially at night or very early morning.

However, rocket launches can often be delayed due to poor weather or issues with the spacecraft.

Starlink is a constellation of nearly 8,000 satellites deployed and operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX that provide internet service to customers around the world.

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Arizonans could catch the first Starlink satellite launch in more than a week from neighboring California if conditions are ideal.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the internet-beaming satellites could get off the ground from the Vandenberg Space Force Base before the end of the weekend, if all goes to plan. The impending rocket launch would be the latest Starlink delivery from Southern California since July 18 and the state’s second spaceflight within a week after NASA sent two science satellites into orbit for its TRACERS mission July 23.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s rocket company has of late bolstered its orbital Starlink deployments from Vandenberg – providing entertainment to space enthusiasts and angering some Santa Barbara County residents opposed to the increased launches.

As you make your rocket viewing plans, though, an important disclaimer to keep in mind is this: Launches can be – and often are – scrubbed or delayed due to any number of factors, including poor weather conditions or unexpected issues with spacecraft. Check back with azcentral.com for any updates on the rocket launch.

In the meantime, here’s what to know about the launch from Southern California, as well as when and where to potentially spot the rocket in neighboring Arizona:

California rocket launches: SpaceX rocket launches have increased in California, and not all residents are happy

What time is the SpaceX rocket launch from California?

A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory indicates the launch is being targeted for Sunday, July 27, with backup opportunities available the following day, if needed.

However, multiple websites dedicated to tracking rocket launches instead suggest the launch window could open as early as 8:55 p.m. PT Saturday, July 26.

Neither the Vandenberg Space Force Base, nor SpaceX, have yet officially confirmed the launch.

Where is the next rocket launch from California?

The launch will take place from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Most launches from Vandenberg fly at a south or southeast trajectory.

What is the next mission launching from Vandenberg?

The spaceflight will make use of the company’s famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world’s most active, to deliver Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.

The altitude is low enough to allow for things like satellites to circle Earth fairly quickly.

How to watch SpaceX Starlink launch livestream

SpaceX will provide a webcast of the Starlink launch on its website beginning about five minutes before liftoff, along with updates on social media site X.

California rocket launch could be visible in Arizona: Where to watch

Because of Arizona’s proximity to the launch site, there’s a good chance people there can see the spacecraft streak across the sky, especially at night or very early morning.

Here’s a list of some possible viewing locations compiled by The Arizona Republic, a USA TODAY Network publication.

What is SpaceX?

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, founded SpaceX in 2002.

The commercial spaceflight company is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city.

SpaceX conducts many of its own rocket launches, most using the Falcon 9 rocket, from both California and Florida. That includes a regular cadence of deliveries of Starlink internet satellites into orbit, and occasional privately-funded commercial crewed missions on the Dragon.

The most recent of SpaceX’s private human spaceflights, a mission known as Fram2, took place in April. SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024.

SpaceX additionally benefits from billions of dollars in contracts from NASA and the Department of Defense by providing launch services for classified satellites and other payloads.

What is Starlink?

Owned by Musk, Starlink is a constellation of more than 7,000 satellites that provide internet service to customers around the world. SpaceX has spent more than six years delivering the satellites to orbit with a regular cadence of rocket launches from both Florida and California.

While most satellite internet services operate from single geostationary satellites orbiting Earth at about 22,236 miles, Starlink is a constellation of thousands of satellites that operate from a low-Earth orbit, about 341 miles up. That allows Starlink’s satellites to have lower latency and data time between user and the satellite, improving performance of things like streaming, online gaming and video calls.

Residential plans for Starlink services start at $80 per month.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com