On Monday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time, a Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit.
The launch, which was delayed twice since last week, was viewed from multiple locations throughout Southern California. In fact, its trajectory took the rocket almost directly over San Diego County.
Vandenberg Space Force Base is 247 miles from Chula Vista.
Moments after launch the rocket could be seen gaining altitude in the northwestern sky as viewed locally while sporting a frothy tail. The trajectory carried it almost overhead for viewers in National City and Chula Vista as it headed toward the southern horizon en route to orbit.
For those caught on the street without a camera, it was a chance to see something extraordinary played out live.
It was no April Fool’s joke.
For those who were able to get to a computer afterward, they could watch a replay of the entire launch sequence on the spacex.com website. The curvature of the Earth could be seen from an on-board camera 1:28 into the flight as the rocket reached 25 km.
As the rocket passed Jupiter in the deep blue western sky, separation of the first stage occurred 2:35 into the flight at an altitude of 60 km at a speed of more than 7,700 km/hr. The staging event could clearly be seen even through the veil of trailing white vapor.
As the rocket continued south, it left a winding and colorful display of vapor in the upper atmosphere, brightly colored by the setting sun. Shades of pink, swirled into doughnut shapes, were visible in the sky 30 minutes after launch in the northern sky.
“The SpaceX launch was a great scene to watch, especially after waiting through the several weather delays and constantly checking for updates on the launch window,” said Jon Bigornia, who photographed the event from his home in EastLake. “On the day of the launch, I was watching the live coverage online, just to make sure the mission was a go. Once I saw the engines ignite and the rocket lift-off, I immediately ran into the house and called my wife and grandson to come out and watch for the rocket to light up the sky.
“It delivered spectacularly, and we followed it as it soared upward and headed over us. While they were watching, I was busy snapping pictures until it disappeared. A good show!”
The satellite package reached orbit 8:50 into the flight at an altitude of 138 km at a speed of 27,340 km/hr.
This was the 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, and now nine Starlink missions.
Another satellite launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled TBA this month.
