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SpaceX Falcon 9 launch seen above Southern California

A SpaceX launch at 7:28 p.m. made its way across San Diego skies just after sunset.

SAN DIEGO — Did you see the strange shape moving across the San Diego sky just after sunset on Monday evening?  

It was quite a site to see as a SpaceX Falcon 9 flew across the colorful sky, leaving a long trail in its path.  The launch was part of the SpaceX Starlink mission. 

The company had targeted Monday for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. With the liftoff planned for 7:28 p.m. PT, it put the Falcon 9 just over San Diego, CA as the sun set. SpaceX later confirmed Starlink satellites were successfully deployed.

Starlink is SpaceX's high-speed global internet service, delivered through a satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit, according to Starlink's website.

CBS 8 viewers sent in photos and videos through the CBS 8 app Near Me feature:

Videos and pictures filled up social media soon after the launch.

According to the SpaceX website: 

SpaceX is targeting Monday, March 18 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 7:28 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:10 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Tuesday, March 19 starting at 7:38 p.m. PT.

This is the 10th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, and seven Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Credit: Michelle Watson
SpaceX trail above San Diego

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