Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

SpaceX Dragon's Sonic Boom Startles Southern California Residents

5/25/2025

31 2

Summary

Story summary

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft made a dramatic return to Earth on Saturday night, generating a thunderous sonic boom that echoed across Southern California. At around 10:44 p.m. PT, the capsule splashed down near Oceanside after its mission to the International Space Station, leaving residents startled and confused, many believing they had experienced an explosion or earthquake.

1 of 1

Story summary

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft made a dramatic return to Earth on Saturday night, generating a thunderous sonic boom that echoed across Southern California. At around 10:44 p.m. PT, the capsule splashed down near Oceanside after its mission to the International Space Station, leaving residents startled and confused, many believing they had experienced an explosion or earthquake.