SpaceX launch again catches attention of southern Arizona

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Monday, April 1.
Published: Apr. 1, 2024 at 7:43 PM MST|Updated: Apr. 1, 2024 at 8:03 PM MST

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - For the second time in weeks, a SpaceX launch has caught the attention of southern Arizona.

On Monday, April 1, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The rocket lit up the sky and caused several worried calls to the 13 newsroom. 

Similar things happened on March 18 and in October 2022. Video of the March 18 launch can be watched below.

Over the next few hours, residents will likely see the rocket trail along with several dots in the sky.

The dots are those satellites starting to open up their solar panels. The dots will be one in a row across the sky.

Once the satellites get to their orbit, they will turn and be almost invisible to the naked eye.

According to SpaceX, this is the 15th flight for the first-stage booster supporting this mission. Following stage separation, the first stage should land on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean.

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