Los Angeles: SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket illuminated the skies over Southern California on Monday. The spectacular visuals were captured on camera and soon the video went viral on social media. The rocket reportedly soared into low-Earth orbit. It was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
SpaceX's Falcon carried 23 Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch was initially scheduled for February 9 but was delayed by a day. In the video, the rocket's fiery trail could be seen illuminating the sky.
Here Are The Visuals:
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried 23 Starlink satellites into space. The rocket broadband spacecraft lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 9:09 pm. EST. The Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth about eight minutes after liftoff. It touched down in the Pacific Ocean.
"This was the 23rd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-153, NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, Bandwagon-2, and now 14 Starlink missions," SpaceX said on its official website.
Notably, SpaceX is targeting another launch of 23 Starlink satellites. "SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, February 18 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 6:00 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 10:00 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Wednesday, February 19, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET," the company said.
This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, Astra 1P, NG-21, and 9 Starlink missions.
