Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Credit: 30th Space Wing

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SAOCOM 1A satellite from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base’s Space Launch Complex-4 is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 7, at 7:21 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

SpaceX is attempting the secondary mission of landing the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket at Landing Zone 4, which was previously called SLC-4W, at Vandenberg Air Force Base. This will be SpaceX’s first land landing attempt at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

SAOCOM 1A satellite
Credit: CONAE

SAOCOM (Satélite Argentino de Observación COn Microondas) is a spacecraft of the Argentine Space Agency, CONAE. This Argentine Microwaves Observation Satellite is the first of a planned Earth observation satellite constellation.

Boom town

As for the Falcon 9 booster stage come back at Landing Zone 4:

“Local residents may see the first stage of the Falcon 9 returning to Vandenberg AFB, including multiple engine burns associated with the landing,” according to 30th Space Wing Public Affairs.

Credit: 30th Space Wing

“During the landing attempt residents from Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties may hear one or more sonic booms. A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves from an aircraft or vehicle traveling faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate a sound similar to an explosion or a clap of thunder. The sonic boom experienced will depend on weather conditions and other factors.”