SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket created a brilliant spectacle in the skies above Southern California as it lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Monday night. Originally scheduled for Sunday, the launch was delayed by one day, but it still thrilled residents across the West Coast, who watched as the rocket’s fiery trail streaked across the dark sky. Videos and photos shared on X showcased the rocket’s bright plume as it ascended.
Rocket Successfully Returns to Earth
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 9:09 pm EST on February 11. About eight minutes after takeoff, the rocket’s first stage successfully returned to Earth and landed in the Pacific Ocean on SpaceX’s drone ship, “Of Course I Still Love You.” This was part of the company’s planned procedure, as reported by Space.com.
Starlink Mission and Milestone Launch
The launch carried 23 Starlink satellites into orbit as part of SpaceX’s ongoing effort to provide high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas. This mission marked a significant milestone as SpaceX’s 445th mission. Moreover, it was the 18th Falcon 9 flight of 2025, with 12 of those dedicated to Starlink satellite deployments.
#SpaceX #falcon9 #rocket 😊 pic.twitter.com/toz7VVbgbY
— pumpkin (@AmazingGrace432) February 11, 2025
Starlink Network Continues to Grow
Currently, the Starlink constellation includes over 6,900 active satellites, and SpaceX has launched around 7,000 since the first mission in 2018. Each satellite measures 9.2 feet in length, 4.6 feet in width, and 0.7 feet in thickness. SpaceX plans to expand the network to 42,000 satellites in the coming years.
SpaceX Faces Setback with Starship Prototype
While SpaceX continues to expand Starlink, it recently experienced a setback with its Starship prototype. On January 16, the Starship upper stage broke apart just minutes after launch from Texas. This incident caused airline flights over the Gulf of Mexico to be rerouted due to falling debris. SpaceX’s Communications Manager, Dan Huot, confirmed the anomaly, and video footage showed orange debris streaking across the sky over Haiti, leaving trails of smoke.
