Vandenberg Airforce Base and SpaceX are scheduled to launch the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite this Saturday at 9:17 a.m. from the base. The Sentinel-6 is the first of two identical satellites to head into Earth’s orbit five years apart to continue sea level observations for at least the next decade.

Upon the re-entry of the vehicle, spectators and local residents from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties can anticipate hearing multiple sonic booms, as the vehicle breaks the sound barrier.

A sonic boom is a sound associated with the shock waves from an aircraft or launch 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.

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