Is There a SpaceX Launch Tonight? Where does SpaceX Launch from in California?
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Updated Jun 19, 2024
Is There a SpaceX Launch Tonight?
SpaceX launched a new set of Starlink satellites from California on Tuesday night, breaking a 10-day break from space missions.
The Falcon 9 rocket carried 20 Starlink satellites, 13 of which can connect directly to cell phones. It took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 11:40 p.m. Eastern Time (8:40 p.m. California time).
Just over 8 minutes later, the rocket's first stage landed on the SpaceX droneship named Of Course I Still Love You, which was waiting in the Pacific Ocean.
Where does SpaceX Launch from in California?
SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites into space from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County on Tuesday night. The company launched 20 Starlink satellites using its Falcon 9 rocket.
This launch marks the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched USSF-62 and three other Starlink missions.
Falcon 9
The Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket made by SpaceX. It's designed to safely and reliably carry people and cargo into Earth's orbit and beyond. It's the first reusable rocket of its kind in the world. This reusability means SpaceX can reuse the most costly parts of the rocket, making space travel more affordable.
| HEIGHT | 70 m / 229.6 ft |
| DIAMETER | 3.7 m / 12 ft |
| MASS | 549,054 kg / 1,207,920 lb |
| PAYLOAD TO LEO | 22,800 kg / 50,265 lb |
| PAYLOAD TO GTO | 8,300 kg / 18,300 lb |
| PAYLOAD TO MARS | 4,020 kg / 8,860 lb |
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, known as SpaceX, is an American company that makes spacecraft, provides launch services, and offers satellite communications.
It's based in Hawthorne, California. Elon Musk started SpaceX in 2002 to lower the cost of space travel and eventually create a sustainable colony on Mars. SpaceX currently builds and operates the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, as well as the Dragon and Starship spacecraft.
