SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch lights up skies over Southern California

A SpaceX launch Sunday night lit up the Southern California skies.

Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket at Vanderberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County happened just before 9 p.m., creating bright, pluming fiery streaks in the skies over the Southland shortly thereafter.

The rocket was carrying 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit.

Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite network designed to bring low-cost internet service to rural/remote communities.

Historic Disney-themed cafe in Hollywood abruptly closes

After launching vertically, the Falcon began a gradual turn while continuing to climb into orbit. Following stage separation after liftoff, the Falcon’s reusable booster made a pinpoint landing back on the spaceport drone ship, “Of Course I Still Love You,” which is stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX said this is the 11^th flight for the first-stage booster rocket.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.