SpaceX Falcon 9 launch lights up Southern California sky with Starlink mission

A spectacular show unfolded in the Southern California sky as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday evening. 

The rocket, carrying 20 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, illuminated the night sky, creating a stunning visual spectacle visible for hundreds of miles along the coast.

The launch, from the company's base northwest of Santa Barbara, highlighted the continued success of SpaceX. 

The Hawthorne-based company completed 96 successful missions with its Falcon rockets in 2023, surpassing its previous record of 61 orbital launches in 2022.

Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite constellation, orbits Earth at an altitude of about 340 miles. 

This network aims to provide high-speed internet access globally, with the satellites launched by the company’s rockets. 

Under the right lighting conditions, these satellites appear in a train-like formation, visible in the minutes just after sundown and before sunrise when they reflect sunlight against the darkened sky.

The Falcon 9 rocket's exhaust plume added to the breathtaking display, often visible for miles if skies are clear. 

Launches just after sunset or before sunrise offer the best views, as the rocket reflects the sun’s rays against the dark sky.

SpaceX's impressive streak of successful missions underscores the company's growing impact on global communication and space exploration. 

The Starlink satellites continue to revolutionize internet connectivity, promising high-speed internet anywhere on Earth.