A public hearing Thursday on an increase in Falcon 9 missions from Vandenberg Space Force Base paused for, of course, a rocket launch.

The two-stage rocket built by SpaceX blasted off at 6:54 p.m. from Space Launch Complex-4 on the South Base.

The Falcon carried 26 Starlink satellites into orbit with deployment occurring about an hour after departure, according to SpaceX.

The first-stage booster, marking its 15th flight, successfully landed on the droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. 

The hearing held in Lompoc on Thursday was the third in-person session planned for this week in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties regarding a proposal to add a second SpaceX launch site at Vandenberg. Check back with Noozhawk for coverage.

Another SpaceX launch could occur as soon as Monday night, according to notices released ahead of missions.

So far since Jan. 1, the West Coast has seen 24 Falcon rocket launches with 17 carrying Starlink satellites and seven others delivering payloads for the National Reconnaissance Office, NASA and commercial customers.