SpaceX rocket launch lights up Yuma skies

Area residents had great seat for show, despite miles

Sunday evening, there was quite the show in the sky — and it all started 430 miles away from Yuma.

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying an Argentinean satellite into space at 7:21 p.m. Sunday. The rocket took off successfully, and about eight minutes after the launch, the booster stage of the rocket returned to land upright just a quarter-mile from its launch site, Space.com reports. The launch and landing were a success for SpaceX. The satellite will orbit 385 miles above Earth, and its radar measurements will be used to track soilmoisture levels, which in turn will help forecast crop yields, Space.com reports. The satellite will also help officials monitor wildfires, floods and other disasters.

The project is one that will greatly assist Argentina with both farming efforts and public safety efforts.

The launch lit up social media, as people up and down the California coastline and well into Arizona witnessed the rocket trails in the sky Sunday night.

Even 430 miles away from Vandenberg in Yuma, the display was amazing. Many took to social media across Yuma County to share their photos of the launch.

Also amazing were the time lapse videos, especially from the California coast, where the rocket launch and eventual separation are clearly visible. It’s worth searching online for “SpaceX Oct. 7 launch timelapse” online, and checking out the resulting videos.

Jesse Watson Photography in Yuma also captured a terrific video of the launch from the Imperial Sand Dunes. His work can be seen at https://www.instagram.com/jessewatsonphoto/

It’s not the first time a SpaceX launch has been visible in the Yuma skies. On Dec. 22, SpaceX launched another Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, which lit up both the skies over Yuma and the social media sites. That launch carried 10 Iridium Next communications satellites into orbit.

If you missed Sunday’s launch, don’t worry. A second Argentinean satellite, named SAOCOM-1B, is in the works, with plans for lift-off in 2019, Space.com reports.

Did you see Sunday’s launch, readers? If so, let us know. Share your photos at www.YumaSun.com.

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