SpaceX plans Vandenberg rocket launch today. How to watch live stream

Less than an hour before the Artemis II astronauts are due to land near California, SpaceX could launch a rocket about 200 miles north.

Hours after the Artemis II astronauts are due to splash down off the coast of San Diego, California, SpaceX could launch a rocket about 200 miles north.

A Falcon 9 rocket is due to get off the ground Friday, April 10 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. Its mission? Deploy SpaceX's Starlink broadband internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.

The launch window is due to open shortly after the four Artemis II astronauts are due to return from a 10-day mission around the moon and make a water landing in the Pacific Ocean.

And both will have a livestream available for those who want to watch.

Here's everything to know about the latest SpaceX mission, and how to watch a webcast of the Falcon 9 launching in Santa Barbara County.

Is there a rocket launch today? Next liftoff from California

SpaceX is working toward a Friday, April 10, launch from Southern California, with a four-hour launch window opening at 7:39 p.m. PT, according to a launch alert. The launch will take place from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed.

What is launching from Vandenberg? Falcon 9 to deploy Starlink satellites

SpaceX will launch its famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world's most active, to deliver 25 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, an altitude nearer Earth's atmosphere where they're able to circle the planet quickly.

How to watch SpaceX launch livestream

Californians, of course, have plenty of opportunities to see a rocket in person both near the launch site as it lifts off, and further away as it soars overhead.

But SpaceX also provides a live webcast of its missions for those who prefer to watch from home or for those viewing the launch locally and looking for updates in real-time.

As with most SpaceX missions, the launch will be available to stream on the company's website and its new X TV mobile app, beginning about five minutes before liftoff. SpaceX may also provide updates on social media site X.

Does Elon Musk own SpaceX? What to know about rocket company

SpaceX is the commercial spaceflight company that billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man, founded in 2002 and leads as the CEO.

SpaceX is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city.

As a major government contractor, SpaceX serves as the launch service provider for a variety of government missions both civil and military.

For the Department of Defense, SpaceX's Falcon 9 helps launch classified satellites and other payloads into space. And for NASA, Falcon 9 most often helps propel astronauts to the International Space Station on SpaceX's Dragon crew capsule - the only U.S vehicle capable of carrying NASA astronauts to orbit.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is SpaceX's internet satellite business.

With more than 10,000 satellites in its growing orbital constellation, Starlink has become a lucrative part of Musk's business empire, serving millions of customers around the world.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected]