Update: The launch did not launch on Saturday. SpaceX is currently targeting a launch start date of 5:11 a.m. Sunday morning. Launch time is 83 minutes.
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Original story: SpaceX plans to launch one of its Falcon 9 rockets from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Saturday morning, the company announced Friday.
The 83-minute launch slot opens at 5:11 a.m. on Saturday, December 23rd.
The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to return to Earth and land at Vandenberg Space Force Base, where many residents in the area may hear a sonic boom.
If the launch is scrubbed, the backup opportunity will occur on Sunday, December 24th, in the same launch time slot.
The launch is Part of SARAh-2 mission To low earth orbit. SARAh 2 is a passive reflector antenna radar satellite built by OHB Systems. According to Next Space Flight.
According to the website, the satellite is part of a constellation of three satellites being built for the German government.