The final Falcon 9 launch of Starlink low-orbiting satellites from California this year is scheduled for liftoff this weekend, according to SpaceX.
The launch window for 22 internet communication system satellites is between 5:48 p.m. and 9:31 p.m. PST. on Saturday, Dec. 28, from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The final Falcon 9 launch of Starlink low-orbiting satellites from California this year is scheduled for liftoff this weekend, according to SpaceX.
If needed, additional launch opportunities are available beginning at 5:12 p.m. PST on Sunday, Dec. 29.
With the launch happening just after sunset, there’s a better chance to look skyward and view the “twilight phenomena,” which resemble clouds of gas called nebulae deep in space.
As chemicals from the rocket’s exhaust freeze and drift like clouds through the atmosphere, the sun’s rays shine through them as well. The light is then refracted through the frozen chemicals at different wavelengths, creating spectacular displays of color.
Residents in the High Desert should look to the west to view the launch and the colorful display.
A live webcast of the mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which can be viewed on X @SpaceX or spacex.com.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Monday, April 1, 2024.
The launch is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SARah-2, Transporter-11, SDA-0A, and 12 Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the “Of Course I Still Love You” drone ship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Busy launch year
On Dec. 24, Digital Trends reported that SpaceX had its busiest year yet for rocket launches, with the spaceflight company led by Elon Musk conducting 129 Falcon 9 launches, two Falcon Heavy launches, and three Starship launches.
The Falcon rocket flights mostly involved deployments of satellites for Starlink, SpaceX’s internet-from-space service. But there were also more than 20 launches for a range of commercial customers, up from 12 in 2023.
Launches involving government contracts, meanwhile, ticked up to around 18 for the year, Digital Trends reported.
High Desert residents watched as SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket from nearly 200 miles away at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
SpaceX’s 2025 campaign
SpaceX officials believe 2025 will be even busier, aiming to serve more customers than ever.
SpaceX is also aiming to ramp up testing of its mighty Starship rocket, with as many as 25 launches planned to take place next year, according to Digital Trends.
To date, the rocket has only flown six times, with the first one launching in April 2023. SpaceX already has permission for the Starship’s seventh test flight, which some reports suggest could take place in early January.
The Starship rocket is reported to create a record 17 million pounds of thrust as it leaves the ground.
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California.
SpaceX was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk to reduce space transportation costs and enable the colonization of Mars.
SpaceX operates from many pads, including Florida-based SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.
Additionally from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is at Boca Chica, Texas.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Final SpaceX Starlink launch of 2024 set for Saturday night
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