Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
July 20, 2023
A Falcon 9 rocket launch created a light show over the South Coast on Wednesday evening.
At 9:09 p.m., SpaceX initiated a successful launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base after scrubbing their Tuesday evening launch.
15 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
This was the 10th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, and now five Starlink missions.
A live webcast of this mission can be seen here.
Photos: SpaceX
“Twilight Launch” Photos from Edhat Readers
By Nic Saubestre
Due to the launch window, I was seriously hoping that we would witness a “twilight phenomenon” (where the rocket’s vapor trails get lit up by the remaining rays of light from the setting sun once it reaches high altitude) and oh boy did we get a show!!! Hopefully a lot of people were able to witness this absolutely mesmerizing light show (best one I’ve personally seen for quite a long time!)
With that, I also want to thank you for always posting the potential launch windows, as I then always make sure not to miss it! I am fortunate to have quite a view of the launch from my backyard, and I always find it incredible to watch these launches from the comfort of my home!
Below is a photo of the launch itself, as well as one of the lit up “cone” (both 30 second long exposures for fellow shutter fanatics). I’ve also uploaded a video of the launch (taken on my iphone) where you can clearly see the light show. Make sure to watch the last 15 seconds or for the full effect!
By Sarah S.
By Tagdes
Falcon 9 as seen from Puesta Del Sol.
SpaceX Launch Scrubbed and Rescheduled for Wednesday
By the edhat staff
July 19, 2023
SpaceX scrubbed their Falcon 9 rocket launch at the last minute on Tuesday evening.
The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base planned to send another round of 15 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit.
A reason wasn’t given for the cancellation but the launch has been rescheduled for Wednesday at 9:09 p.m. with a backup launch opportunity at 10:00 p.m.
This is the 10th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff here.
It was one of the showiest launches I have ever seen ! I don’t even know how to describe the huge angular sort of misty looking contrail that developed behind it. Also pretty to see it coming up with the fingernail moon and a bright planet in the same part of the sky.
Lucky! I envy you
Tonight (Thursday) from a dark spot, we may get to see a train of these satellites released from the launch, passing high overhead starting about 9:15 PM, from NNW to SSE.
Thanks!
Sorry for all of you who missed this launch. It was one of the best I have ever seen from 60 years of catching sight them now and again. I wonder if it was not enhanced some by the recent solar storm hitting us earlier in the day. Anyhow the Moon and Venus doing the warmup session with the then reflection off the fog bank as the rocket rose up was enough to push this one into spectacular.