A sophisticated early warning system for Central Coast California. We detect the exact moment a Falcon 9 booster breaks the sound barrier during its return to Vandenberg, giving you precious minutes to prepare before the boom arrives.
We monitor live launch webcasts, detecting the critical entry burn event—when the returning booster fires three engines at 55km altitude to slow from supersonic speed. Detection happens within seconds.
Not everyone hears the boom at the same time. The shockwave takes 2–5 minutes to descend from altitude to your location. We calculate your exact warning time based on distance from Vandenberg.
A returning Falcon 9 doesn't produce a single crack—it produces three distinct, rolling thuds. Each corresponds to one of the three entry burn engines creating overlapping shockwaves.
Coverage Zone
Lompoc • Santa Maria • San Luis Obispo • Santa Barbara • Paso Robles • Ventura • Oxnard
Best within 100 miles of Vandenberg SFB
Volunteer operators needed for Central Coast event detection.
Mobile Operators:
Tap to Open Messages & Add Your ZIPOpens your messaging app pre-filled with "START " — just type your ZIP code and send
Enrollment Code
Example: START 93101
Send to this number
Click the lock icon (🔒) above to reveal the number
By proceeding, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Not every Falcon 9 launch produces a sonic boom you can hear onshore. It depends on where the booster lands.
RTLS (Return to Launch Site): The booster flies back to Vandenberg and lands minutes after liftoff. During reentry, it fires three engines, breaking the sound barrier and sending a dramatic "triple boom" rolling across the Central Coast.
Drone Ship Landing: Most missions land the booster on a drone ship 400+ km offshore. The boom dissipates long before reaching land.
Sonic Boomer strictly monitors RTLS missions—the ones you can actually hear and feel.
It's not a single "bang"—it's typically three rapid booms in quick succession (one per engine on the entry burn), followed by a low rumble. People describe it as:
Closer to Vandenberg, it's sharp and startling. Farther out, it's a softer triple thud.
We monitor live launch webcasts and detect critical reentry events in real time. Our system detects the atmospheric entry burn within seconds.
We calculate how long the sound wave will take to travel from the booster's altitude to your precise ZIP code, and dispatch an SMS with your custom warning time.
Closer subscribers get shorter warnings but louder booms.