Not aliens: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket visible from Vegas’ night sky
If you saw a strange beam of light in the night sky tonight, rest assured — aliens have not invaded.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched Starlink satellites into orbit around 7:30 p.m. Monday. It is the 10th time the rocket has taken flight this year from SpaceX’s Vandenberg Space Force Base north of Los Angeles, the company said on X.
Falcon 9 is the first rocket ever created capable of reflight. Starlink is a satellite internet service that uses satellites that orbit the earth to provide broadband internet, according to the company’s website.
Watch Falcon 9 launch @Starlink satellites to orbit https://t.co/ZKRd48kkot
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 19, 2024
Past rocket events
September 2023: A rocket launched from California coast as part of the “Victus Nox” space mission, could be seen in Las Vegas.
October 2022: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 53 Starlink satellites for the company from Vandenberg. The rocket and its contrails could be seen over the valley.
May 2021: A string of Starlink satellites in low orbit could be seen over Las Vegas.
October 2018: A Falcon 9 rocket could be seen in parts of the Southwest.