Thousands looked to the Phoenix skies on Monday evening as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soared above, after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Station in Santa Barbara County, California. The rocket lit up parts of Southern California and Arizona just after 7:30 p.m. while carrying satellites to low Earth orbit.
What was that over the skies of Phoenix just after 7:30?! A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket of course! How beautiful ? https://t.co/gMDm6qNIGy pic.twitter.com/luK0Qiim3H
— Ben Parris (@BenParris04) March 19, 2024
Residents were surprised, confused, and in awe as the reusable booster made its 10 individual launch before landing on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. The mission marked the 285th successful recovery of a SpaceX booster.
Falcon 9 launch over Tucson, Arizona moments ago! Captured via drone. Video coming soon!@spacex #spacex #falcon9 #rocketlaunch pic.twitter.com/x6pFdZb5Z6
— Sean Parker (@seanparkerphoto) March 19, 2024
What the hell just flew over #Phoenix ? #rocket pic.twitter.com/aiOnx6dx3U
— Alex Figliolia (@grenaria1) March 19, 2024
The launch was the 147th starlink mission for the company, delivering 22 satellites to orbit to join the constellation of over 5,000 satellites that help provide broadband internet connectivity across the globe.
Ok that @SpaceX launch was pretty incredible to see pic.twitter.com/nZ8TBJbQQZ
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) March 19, 2024