A SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets over Palm Desert after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base the evening of Sept. 28, 2025.
Sunday evening’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket over Palm Desert after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Credit: Jill Macfadyen photo

A SpaceX rocket delivered a twilight delight along with another batch of Starlink satellites Sunday.

The liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 7:04 p.m. meant Falcon 9 departed near sunset, creating the perfect backdrop for spectators to see the flight’s milestones despite being hundreds of miles away from Santa Barbara County. 

Social media users quickly shared their images captured around Southern California and as far away as Arizona.

  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, a few minutes after launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in a view from Goleta the evening of Sept. 28, 2025.
    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, a few minutes after launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in a view from Goleta the evening of Sept. 28, 2025. Credit: Frank DiMarco photo
  • Sunday evening’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket over Montecito.
    Sunday evening’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket over Montecito. Credit: Bryan Goligoski photo
  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket contrail passes beyond palm trees in Goleta the evening of Sept. 28, 2025.
    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket contrail passes beyond palm trees in Goleta the evening of Sept. 28, 2025. Credit: Frank DiMarco photo
  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket contrail over Goleta the evening of Sept. 28, 2025.
    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket contrail over Goleta the evening of Sept. 28, 2025. Credit: Frank DiMarco photo
  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars over Montecito en route to deploying 28 Starlink satellites the evening of Sept. 28, 2025.
    A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars over Montecito en route to deploying 28 Starlink satellites the evening of Sept. 28, 2025. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo
  • The “tip of the spear” as the latest SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket heads into space from Vandenberg Space Force Base the evening of Sept. 28, 2025.
    The “tip of the spear” as the latest SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket heads into space from Vandenberg Space Force Base the evening of Sept. 28, 2025. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo
  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket’s contrail begins to spiral apart over Montecito after the Sept. 28, 2025, launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket’s contrail begins to spiral apart over Montecito after the Sept. 28, 2025, launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo
  • SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, a few minutes after launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base the evening of Sept. 28, 2025.
    SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, a few minutes after launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base the evening of Sept. 28, 2025. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo
  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket over a crescent moon, a few minutes after launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base the evening of Sept. 28, 2025.
    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket over a crescent moon, a few minutes after launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base the evening of Sept. 28, 2025. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo
  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets over Palm Desert after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base the evening of Sept. 28, 2025.
    Sunday evening’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket over Palm Desert after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Credit: Jill Macfadyen photo

While some mistakenly believe the phenomenon stems from a failed launch, it actually is related to the angle of sunlight and varies based on launch vehicle plus atmospheric conditions. 

The effect occurs for launches near sunrise and sunset with some of the best images typically snapped by viewers farther away from the Central Coast. 

The team initially aimed for Sunday’s launch after 4:30 p.m. and then 6:28 p.m. before targeting the 7:04 p.m. liftoff, approximately 15 minutes after sunset.

The purpose of Sunday’s mission involved putting Starlink satellites, 28 per SpaceX, into orbit. Deployment of the satellites occurred one hour after liftoff, the company confirmed.

The rocket’s first-stage booster landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean, completing its 28th mission and allowing it to be recycled for a future launch.

The next mission for Falcon 9 at Vandenberg could occur as soon as Friday morning to carry more Starlink satellites into orbit. That mission reportedly is targeting a liftoff between 6 and 10 a.m., potentially placing it near sunrise to provide another picturesque show.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.