First up will be an Air Force Minuteman III missile test launch involving a mock warhead. The three-stage weapon will blast out of an underground silo on North Base between 11:01 p.m. Tuesday and 5:01 a.m. Wednesday. Test launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles typically aim for the opening of the six-hour window, but can be delayed due to technical troubles, unfavorable weather or other reasons either at Vandenberg or near the target. The military will track the weapon as it travels hundreds of miles to a predetermined target typically in the Kwajalein Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean. “The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent,” according to Air Force Global Strike Command which overseas the Air Force’s nuclear weapons fleet. ICBMs occur several times a year at Vandenberg. They are scheduled years in advance and are not related to any real-world situations, officials said. Sign Up for the A.M. Report Keep up with Noozhawk's daily news coverage, delivered at 4:15 a.m. right to your inbox. Sign up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “Consistent with previous test launches, this ICBM test launch will validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system,” Vandenberg officials said. The United States has sent a pre-launch notification pursuant to the Hague Code of Conduct, and alerted the Russian government in advance, per existing bi-lateral treaty requirements. This week’s launch manifest also includes a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket liftoff planned from Vandenberg to deliver another group of Starlink satellites into orbit. Notices have been issued warning boaters and pilots about the planned launch set to occur as soon as Wednesday afternoon. SpaceX has not confirmed the targeted departure time as of Monday afternoon. The firm typically releases the details closer to the planned launch after confirming the mission’s readiness. For Starlink missions, the first-stage booster typically lands on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean south of the Central Coast. Tagged: