Phoenix night sky was illuminated yesterday evening by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch, captivating viewers with a streak of light visible from miles away. The spectacle was the Starlink satellites being propelled into orbit, an event observed by many Arizonans. The launch occurred around 7:30 p.m. from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and a downtown Phoenix camera managed by FOX 10 caught the impressive sight.
According to SpaceX's official statements, this particular mission carried 22 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The company indicated that "SpaceX is targeting Monday, March 18 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 7:28 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:10 p.m.," a fact reported by the local news channel. Residents from various locations sent in their photographs and videos, sharing the unexpected light display.
Meanwhile, 12News provided details about the nature of the Starlink project. Calling it "the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more," Starlink's objective is to provide internet access through numerous satellites at an altitude of about 550 km.
The Starlink satellites connect with antennas at users' homes, offering another avenue for internet access in today's ever-connected world. Viewers across Arizona took to social media and news outlets, sending their captures of the sight, with one video by 12News viewer Cindi Fitch in Apache Junction showcasing what resembled a comet but was, in fact, the multipurpose Falcon 9 rocket. The launch highlighted was the 10th flight for this particular rocket, marking its eighth Starlink mission. SpaceX continues to expand its technological footprint in the sky, bringing high-speed internet to even the most remote corners of the Earth one satellite at a time.
