SpaceX Dragon sonic boom rattles Los Angeles during reentry
A SpaceX Dragon capsule caused a loud sonic boom over Los Angeles during its atmospheric reentry, startling residents. Learn more about the event.
A loud sonic boom echoed across Los Angeles late Saturday night, leaving many residents startled and searching for answers. The noise, initially mistaken for an earthquake, was confirmed to be caused by the reentry of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft into Earth's atmosphere.
The unmanned Dragon capsule, returning from a resupply mission to the International Space Station, created the sonic boom as it broke the sound barrier before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean near Oceanside at approximately 10:44 p.m. PT.
Many residents took to social media to report the loud noise, with some speculating it was an earthquake. However, SpaceX had previously warned that the Dragon would announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom before landing. The company confirmed the successful splashdown shortly after the event.
Videos shared online showed a bright streak across the night sky as the capsule descended, further clarifying the source of the disturbance. The sonic boom was felt across a wide area, including Venice, West Hollywood, Highland Park, and Santa Clarita.
The Dragon capsule had been docked at the International Space Station for 31 days, delivering approximately 6,700 pounds of supplies, equipment, and scientific experiments. It undocked from the station on Friday morning before beginning its journey back to Earth.
This mission marked SpaceX's 32nd Commercial Resupply Services flight for NASA. The Dragon is currently the only spacecraft capable of returning significant amounts of cargo from the ISS.
Sonic booms from SpaceX missions have become more common in Southern California, particularly near Vandenberg Space Force Base. The company plans to increase launch frequency, with over 90 rockets expected from the base by 2026.
Researchers are studying the impact of these booms on nearby communities, as the low-frequency vibrations can rattle windows and mimic seismic activity. Despite concerns, SpaceX continues to advance its spaceflight capabilities, with more missions planned in the coming years.
For those who missed the event, footage of the Dragon's reentry and the resulting sonic boom can be found on various social media platforms.
