Launch details
Falcon 9 Block 5 | NAOS
Launch details
Falcon 9 Block 5 | NAOS
Space Launch Complex 4E
Vandenberg Space Force Base
Dec 30 at 04:00pm
Launchpad time•-0800
Dec 31 at 12:00am
Your local time•+0000
Falcon 9 Block 5
Launch vehicle
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
NAOS (National Advanced Optical System) is the space component of Luxembourg's governmental dual-use observation satellite system LUXEOSys (Luxembourg Earth Observation System). Its purpose is to provide high resolution images to national and international governmental and military organizations such as NATO.
The 800 kg satellite is built by OHB Italia and is equipped with a very high-resolution optical camera with a ground reolution of 50 cm in an around 450 km high sun-synchronous orbit. It will have a operational life time of 7 years.
— NAOS
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
SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk. It aims to reduce space travel costs and enable Mars colonization. Known for the Falcon and Starship rockets, SpaceX has achieved milestones like reusable rocket landings, Dragon spacecraft missions to the ISS, and the first private crewed spaceflight.