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yesterday

SpaceX Dragon Capsule Reentry Triggers Sonic Boom Over Los Angeles

The spacecraft, returning from a resupply mission to the ISS, caused widespread alarm as residents initially mistook the loud boom for an earthquake.

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Sonic boom, not earthquake: SpaceX Dragon capsule startles Los Angeles, California (Unsplash - representational image)
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Overview

  • The SpaceX Dragon capsule reentered Earth's atmosphere on May 24, 2025, around 10:44 p.m., splashing down off the coast of Oceanside, California.
  • The reentry caused a significant sonic boom, which was felt and heard across various parts of Los Angeles, including Venice, West Hollywood, and Santa Clarita.
  • The capsule had delivered approximately 6,700 pounds of supplies and equipment to the International Space Station as part of a NASA resupply mission.
  • Some residents initially believed the sonic boom was an earthquake, with the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre briefly suggesting seismic activity before confirming no data supported this.
  • SpaceX plans to increase its launch frequency significantly, with over 90 rocket launches scheduled from Vandenberg Space Force Base by 2026, raising concerns about the impact of sonic booms on local communities.