Space agencies NASA and ESA say weather is “go” for launch for today’s expected lift-off of the Sentinel-6 Earth-observing satellite. Named after former NASA Earth Science Division Director Michael Freilich, the satellite is mounted atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket which is scheduled to launch at 9:17am from California (18:17am CET, 12:17pm ET).

Team A Spacecraft Operations Manager, Massimo Romanazzo, confirmed that the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) is ready to start monitoring the launch sequence at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.  The spaceport reports that all systems are “GREEN” for launch despite some high winds in the area. NASA says overall that weather is 80% favorable for launch.

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

A sonic boom is the 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.