California residents warned of sonic booms as SpaceX launches secret Space Force rocket
Anyone within the proximity of the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California has been issued a warning regarding sonic booms, as SpaceX plans to conduct a secret Space Force launch this weekend that could result in the brief phenomena.
The sheer force required to propel rockets and vessels into space means that sonic booms are inevitable, yet it's something that could prove dangerous to people living within the vicinity of the extremely loud noise.
They can't physically harm you or cause damage to your health, yet some might be startled, incur stress, and perhaps even shatter weak glass in rare scenarios — so a warning is necessary from the space agencies behind the bang.
SpaceX has just had to issue a warning related to sonic booms ahead of its 'secret' launch this weekend, as while plenty will be excited to see the Falcon 9 rocket take flight from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, it might prove to be unpleasant on the ears.
SpaceX issues statement amid sonic boom fears
Detailed within the information page for the SpaceX USSF-366 mission that's scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 16, Elon Musk's company has issued a warning for anyone that might be subject to sonic booms as a result.
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"There is a possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one of more sonic booms during the launch," SpaceX explains, "but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions."
Sonic booms can typically reach a loudness level of around 110 dB – which is equal to something like a thunder close by or even a loud explosion – making the warning certainly appropriate.
Explaining how sonic booms occur, SpaceX illustrates that it happens "when an aircraft or other object travels faster than the speed of sound. As a fast-moving object travels through the air, it pushes the air aside and creates a wave of pressure which eventually reaches the ground."
They are particularly relevant to SpaceX operations as sonic booms typically occur when a vehicle returns back to Earth in a reusable state, which one of the key features of Musk's company's operations.
"With Starship, [sonic booms will] signal the arrival of a rapidly reusable future in spaceflight to travel to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond," SpaceX proclaims.
What is the USS-366 mission?
We know very little about the USS-366 mission as it is operated for the purpose of the United States Space Force (USSF) and is therefore deemed to be classified.
According to Space Launch Schedule, some speculate that its purpose is to launch a number of classified Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to be used by the U.S. government, as it matches the rocket stage drop zones of previous Starlink Group 15 launches operated by SpaceX for its Starshield satellite bus.
While the secret project does remain relatively under wraps and it's likely that we'll never know what its true purpose is, you can still watch a live stream of the launch through SpaceX, letting you see the rocket's take-off as it happens.