Late Saturday evening, Los Angeles residents experienced a startling event that many initially mistook for an earthquake. However, the loud boom and accompanying rattling sensation were actually caused by a sonic boom linked to a SpaceX cargo vessel. Around 10:45 p.m., people across a wide area reported the intense noise, which was confirmed to be associated with the re-entry of a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
According to a post on X by Elon Musk’s space agency, the Dragon capsule announced its arrival with a brief sonic boom just before it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX had informed the public about the expected re-entry time, stating that the capsule would make its descent around 10:44 p.m. This unpiloted spacecraft had successfully transported approximately 6,700 pounds of crew supplies, equipment, and other essential resources to the International Space Station.
The Dragon capsule undocked from the International Space Station at 9:05 a.m. on Friday, initiating its journey back toward California's coastline. The sonic boom, a common occurrence during such re-entries, has raised concerns among residents living near Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. Local officials have acknowledged that the regular rocket launches and landings from this facility are responsible for the frequent rattling events.
Sonic booms have become a significant source of anxiety for Southern Californians, prompting residents to voice their concerns about the disturbances. In response to these complaints, military officials had previously rejected requests to reduce the frequency of sonic booms produced by SpaceX rockets. The situation is becoming more pressing, as SpaceX plans to launch more than 90 rockets from Vandenberg Space Force Base by 2026.
On Saturday night, reports of the boom came in from various neighborhoods, including Venice, West Hollywood, Highland Park, Agoura Hills, and Santa Clarita. The widespread nature of these reports indicates that the impact of the sonic boom was felt across a broad swath of the Los Angeles area, sparking conversations about the implications of ongoing space activities in the vicinity.
As SpaceX continues to expand its operations, the residents of Southern California may need to prepare for more such occurrences in the future, balancing the excitement of space exploration with the realities of living near a major launch facility.
