A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched on Monday night from Vandenberg Space Force Base, treating spectators to a stunning celestial display along the West Coast.
The two-stage rocket blasted off at 8:34 p.m. from Space Launch Complex-4 and delivered 26 Starlink satellites into orbit about an hour later. The first-stage booster, making its third flight, landed on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean.
The launch coincided with a beautiful twilight phenomenon, which created a colorful contrail that could be seen for hundreds of miles. This natural effect occurs when exhaust particles from rocket propellants condense and expand in the upper atmosphere, illuminated by sunlight against a dark sky.
Viewers across Southern California, as well as those in Arizona and Nevada, reported witnessing the launch, including baseball fans at Dodger Stadium. The launch marked the 25th Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg in 2025, with another possible launch scheduled for Friday afternoon.
The success of this launch demonstrates SpaceX’s continued commitment to expanding its satellite constellation. With multiple launches planned for the coming weeks, SpaceX is poised to make significant strides in space technology and exploration.
Source: https://www.noozhawk.com/falcon-9-rocket-puts-on-a-show-with-twilight-launch-from-vandenberg