SpaceX Launches 140 Payloads Amid Local Concerns Over Noise

SpaceX successfully launched 140 payloads aboard its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on November 28, 2025, as part of the Transporter-15 mission. This mission included cubesats, microsats, hosted payloads, and orbital transfer vehicles, with some payloads set to be deployed at a later time.

The launch occurred at 10:44 a.m. PST, following a previous scrub two days earlier due to a ground systems issue, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. The Falcon 9 rocket followed a southerly trajectory and saw the veteran booster B1071 complete its 30th flight, further solidifying SpaceX's record of reliability in reusable rocket technology.

The deployment sequence began approximately 54 minutes after liftoff, with payloads including contributions from Seops Space, which deployed 11 spacecraft, and Exolaunch, responsible for 59 satellites.

Notable payloads included the Formosat-8 satellite from the Taiwan Space Agency, a cornerstone of a planned eight-satellite constellation for optical remote-sensing. The success of this launch highlights SpaceX's ongoing role in advancing space technology and commercial satellite deployments.

However, the local community has raised concerns regarding the noise and disruption caused by the rocket launches. Residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties were warned that they might hear sonic booms during the launch, adding to the existing apprehensions about the impact of frequent launches on their quality of life.

As SpaceX continues to expand its operations, these local concerns could prompt further discussions about balancing technological advancements with community well-being, as indicated by the various sources covering this launch.