SpaceX rocket creates illuminated exhaust plume seen throughout SoCal – NBC Los Angeles

A SpaceX rocket illuminated the evening sky with its exhaust plume after launching Sunday from the Vandenberg House Drive Base close to the Santa Barbara County coast.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched simply after 7 p.m. and may very well be seen for miles throughout Santa Barbara, LA and Orange counties.

This was the twenty eighth flight for the primary stage booster supporting the mission to ship dozens of Starlink satelites into orbit, in response to SpaceX.

A number of individuals on social media reported listening to a sonic growth, which the area firm anticipated.

Watch Falcon 9 launch 28 @Starlink satellites to orbit from California https://t.co/J3cQKyrkS3

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 29, 2025

SpaceX has a Starlink constellation of satellites orbiting Earth about 340 miles up, shuttled into area by the corporate’s rockets. The Starlink community is designed to ship high-speed web anyplace across the globe.

If gentle circumstances are proper, the satellites seem in a prepare as they parade throughout the evening sky. The satellites are generally seen within the first jiffy after sunset and earlier than dawn when the solar is under the horizon, however the satellites are excessive sufficient to replicate direct daylight.

Use the FindStarlink tracker to seek out the very best upcoming viewing occasions.