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Not aliens: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket visible from Vegas’ night sky

Updated March 19, 2024 - 6:59 pm

If you saw a strange beam of light in the night sky tonight, rest assured — aliens have not invaded.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched Starlink satellites into orbit around 7:30 p.m. Monday. It is the 10th time the rocket has taken flight this year from SpaceX’s Vandenberg Space Force Base north of Los Angeles, the company said on X.

Falcon 9 is the first rocket ever created capable of reflight. Starlink is a satellite internet service that uses satellites that orbit the earth to provide broadband internet, according to the company’s website.

Past rocket events

September 2023: A rocket launched from California coast as part of the “Victus Nox” space mission, could be seen in Las Vegas.

October 2022: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 53 Starlink satellites for the company from Vandenberg. The rocket and its contrails could be seen over the valley.

May 2021: A string of Starlink satellites in low orbit could be seen over Las Vegas.

October 2018: A Falcon 9 rocket could be seen in parts of the Southwest.

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