The Vandenberg launch schedule is packed this week as SpaceX completes one major international mission and prepares for two more Falcon 9 flights before Thanksgiving. The busy lineup follows the successful launch of the Sentinel-6B sea-level monitoring satellite, lifted on time from Space Launch Complex-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Sentinel-6B Successfully Launched on Falcon 9
The weekend kicked off with the precise, on-schedule launch of Sentinel-6B, the second satellite in a billion-dollar U.S.-Europe collaboration to monitor rising sea levels. A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off at 9:21 p.m. PST and deployed the spacecraft 57 minutes later.
Built by Airbus Defence and Space, Sentinel-6B will orbit 830 miles above Earth, using radar instruments to measure sea level changes with accuracy down to an inch across 90% of the world’s oceans. The mission is jointly supported by NASA, ESA, NOAA, Eumetsat, the European Commission, and CNES.
The Falcon 9 booster—flying for the third time—returned to the launch site, marking the 500th flight of a reused Falcon 9 booster, a milestone for SpaceX.
Two More SpaceX Launches Ahead
With Sentinel-6B now in orbit, attention shifts to the next entries on the Vandenberg launch schedule, as SpaceX gears up for two additional Falcon 9 missions this week.
Wednesday, November 19 – Transporter-15 Mission
- Agency: SpaceX
- Mission: Rideshare deployment of small satellites for commercial and government customers
- Launch window: 10:18 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. PT
- Rocket: Falcon 9
- Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg
- Booster landing: On drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean
This rideshare launch will send dozens of payloads into orbit, continuing SpaceX’s Transporter series that supports global research, commercial applications, and small-satellite startups.
Sunday, November 23 – Starlink 11-30 Mission
- Agency: SpaceX
- Mission: Deployment of 28 Starlink V2 Mini satellites
- Launch window: Midnight – 4 a.m. PT
- Rocket: Falcon 9
- Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg
- Booster landing: Of Course I Still Love You drone ship
The mission supports SpaceX’s expanding Starlink internet network, which now covers millions of users worldwide.
Weather Outlook Improving
Weekend storms brought heavy rain to California, giving meteorologists concern during the Sentinel-6B countdown. Weather officers reported a 60% chance of violation before launch, but conditions improved enough for a successful liftoff. Monday and mid-week conditions are forecast to improve, offering a favorable environment for the upcoming missions.
