Launch details
Vulcan | NROL-100
Launch details
Vulcan | NROL-100
United Launch Alliance
Commercial • USA
Space Launch Complex 3E
Vandenberg Space Force Base
Dec 30 at 04:00pm
Launchpad time•-0800
Dec 31 at 12:00am
Your local time•+0000
Get notification
24 hours before launch
Get notification
1 hour before launch
Note: For all launches the scheduled launch dates and times are subject to change due to weather, equipment, crew and other factors.
Mission description
Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office
— NROL-100
Livestream
Attending a launch in person
Viewing from the launch site is restricted to military and base personnel.
Public locations around the base provide excellent views, depending on weather.
Surf Beach: Best option for all launchpads if the marine layer keeps west, otherwise you'll get a poor view. Fills up fast on launch day. Closed from March to September to protect local wildlife and in the other months it'll sometimes be closed depending on launch trajectory.
Corral Road: Good option for SLC-2. The semi-official viewing area. 8 kilometers away.
13th & W Ocean Ave: Good option for the southern pads. The hills and marine layer obstruct your view a bit but this is the closest you'll get, it's just outside the security checkpoint. There are a few other good intersections along W Ocean Ave (notably Renwick & W Ocean Ave).
Harris Grade Road: Alternative angle for all pads. It's up high on a hill and above the marine layer so you'll always have a view but it's much further away at 17 kilometers.
How to get there
Accomodation
Nearby hotels in Lompoc or Santa Maria.
Nearby parking
Parking available at the visitor center.
Agency details
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, providing reliable and cost-effective launch services for national security, scientific, and commercial missions. ULA operates the Atlas and Delta rocket families and is developing the Vulcan Centaur rocket to ensure continued access to space.