[Launch Alert] Falcon 9 Launched

[Launch Alert]

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 53 Starlink satellites was successfully launched from Vandenberg SFB this evening (October 27) at 6:14 p.m. PDT.

The launch took place at Vandenberg SFB sunset, making the sky was relatively bright in western California and northwest Mexico. Despite this, the rocket's exhaust plume and contrail were more visible than expected.

I observed the launch from about 100 statute miles southeast of the launch pad. Using 10X tripod-mounted binoculars, I could clearly see the rocket's shape, details in the flame, staging, and the jettisoned first stage and nose cone clamshells. I was able to follow the second stage burn through the binoculars until the rocket passed behind a tree.

During the early part of the first stage burn, I looked at the Falcon 9 using the naked eye and it appeared to be heading towards me.

Several minutes after launch I heard a sonic boom followed by a distant, faint rumble.

Brian Webb