SpaceX Launches Italian Satellite: A Celestial Spectacle for Arizona
PHOENIX, AZ (AZFamily) — Friday night was a memorable one for Arizona residents, as they witnessed a breathtaking celestial event. Just after 7 p.m., a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soared into the night sky, leaving a comet-like trail in its wake. This awe-inspiring sight, known as the "twilight effect," occurs when the sun has set, but the rocket continues its ascent, illuminating its exhaust plume.
The rocket was part of SpaceX's COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission for the Italian Space Agency. It launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marking the 21st flight for the first-stage booster. As is customary for these launches, the rocket separated, and the Falcon 9's first stage is expected to land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific Ocean.
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