SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Illuminates Arizona Skies with Starlink Mission

Arizona residents were treated to a spectacular celestial display on the evening of September 28, 2025, as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The event, which saw the deployment of 28 Starlink internet satellites, created a dazzling light show visible across the state. "It’s @SpaceX!!! What a treat tonight in AZ," exclaimed social media user Sam Rad, capturing the widespread excitement.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg, carrying its payload of Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. Due to Arizona's proximity to the launch site, the rocket's ascent and the subsequent vapor trail were clearly visible, especially during the twilight hours. This marked the 28th flight for the specific first-stage booster supporting this mission.

SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, regularly conducts these launches to expand its Starlink constellation, which aims to provide global broadband internet access. The Starlink satellites operate in low-Earth orbit, offering lower latency and improved performance compared to traditional geostationary satellite internet services. The company now boasts over 8,500 active Starlink satellites orbiting Earth.

The striking visual phenomenon observed by Arizonans is often attributed to the "Twilight Phenomenon." This occurs when the rocket's exhaust gases, containing water vapor, condense and freeze in the extremely cold upper atmosphere, creating a visible trail of ice crystals illuminated by the setting sun. Such events have become a familiar and often anticipated sight for residents in the region.

Following stage separation, the Falcon 9's first stage successfully landed on the "Of Course I Still Love You" drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean, a routine recovery operation for SpaceX. The company provided a live webcast of the mission, with updates also shared on its social media platform, X.