25-05-2025
What happened when the SpaceX Dragon vessel re-entered the atmosphere?
Southern California residents reported hearing a loud sonic boom and experiencing a rattling sensation on Saturday evening.
The boom was caused by a SpaceX Dragon vessel re-entering the atmosphere as it approached its splashdown off the southern California coast around 10:44 PM.
The SpaceX vessel was returning from the International Space Station, carrying 6,700 pounds of crew supplies, science investigations, and equipment.
Sonic booms have become a common occurrence for residents near Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, with both U.S. Space Force and SpaceX acknowledging the issue.
Despite complaints, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has stated the company plans to launch over 90 rockets from the base by 2026, and military officials have resisted calls to reduce the noise.
