SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket showcases night launch over California and Arizona

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket illuminated the skies over California and Arizona during an awe-inspiring night launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The rocket lifted off at 7:04 p.m. PDT (10:04 p.m. EDT) on Sunday, delivering 28 Starlink internet satellites into low Earth orbit.

Spectators across Southern California and Arizona captured stunning images and videos of the event, as the rocket’s vapor trail danced across the sunset-lit and darkening sky.

This marked the 16th launch conducted by SpaceX within a single month, a testament to the company’s increasing pace of operations. With this latest mission, the growing Starlink satellite network now boasts over 8,500 active satellites orbiting the planet.

The captivating vapor trails left behind by the launch sparked curiosity among viewers. Meteorologist Jennifer Gray of Weather.com shed light on the phenomenon, explaining, "Rocket engines produce very hot exhaust gases that contain quite a bit of water vapor, along with other gases and particles. When this hot exhaust mixes with the extremely cold air in the upper atmosphere - the temperature of the gases drops quickly - which causes the water vapor to condense and freeze, creating a visible white trail of ice crystals!"

The spectacle served as a thrilling reminder of the scientific and technological feats behind modern space exploration while offering a visual treat for those lucky enough to witness it. As SpaceX continues its ambitious launch schedule, it remains a dominant force in commercial spaceflight and satellite deployment.

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