SpaceX Rocket Launch Lights Up the Night Sky on Monday

Update by the edhat staff
June 16, 2025

On Monday, June 16 at 8:36 p.m., a Falcon 9 rocket launched 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

After stage separation, the Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

This was the third flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which has now launched three Starlink missions.

Central Coast residents noticed the bright display in the night sky and captured videos and photos of the event.

SpaceX rocket launch as seen from the Eastern Goleta Valley on June 16, 2025 (Photo by Lauren Hanson)

Amy Katz captured video of the launch from Santa Barbara.

Stargazer Ron missed the rocket’s ascent, but photographed its contrail, twisted by upper atmospheric winds, 10 minutes after launch.

Contrail from the SpaceX launch on June 16, 2025 (Photo: Stargazer Ron)

“Three minutes later, a close-up of the right-most contrail reveals a rose hue near the bottom right, a result of the setting sun, while most of the contrail remains brightly illuminated,” said Stargazer Ron.

“Here’s the contrail after another three minutes, now with an even more pronounced rose hue, reflecting the deepening sunset,” said Stargazer Ron.

“Three minutes later, the contrail is fully illuminated by the sunset. In the upper right, you can spot two “stars”: Regulus in the constellation Leo, and nearby, the planet Mars!” said Stargazer Ron.

“Captured with a 500mm lens, here’s a close-up of the two celestial bodies, appearing less than one degree apart—a fortunate alignment to witness! Although both are magnitude 1.4, their distinct colors reveal their identities. Regulus, a scorching blue-white star, boasts a temperature of approximately 15,400 kelvins—nearly triple of our Sun’s nearly 5,800 kelvins. In contrast, Mars reflects Sun’s light from its predominantly red surface, casting a ruddy, orange-red glow,” said Stargazer Ron.

Mars and Regulus on June 16, 2025 (Photo: Stargazer Ron)

Watch the full launch below from SpaceX:

Watch Falcon 9 launch 26 @Starlink satellites to orbit from California https://t.co/rmDHx7Mqtl

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 16, 2025

SpaceX Launch Scheduled for Monday Evening

Written by the edhat staff
June 15, 2025

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Monday evening.

The rocket will carry 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East.

Liftoff is targeted for 8:36 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 9:07 p.m. PT. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Tuesday, June 17 starting at 5:37 p.m. PT.

After stage separation, the Falcon 9’s first stage is expected to land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.