Friday, December 22, 2017

SpaceX Launches Iridium Satellites Into Space In Stunning Light Show

Hawthorne-based SpaceX successfully launched a payload of ten satellites into space for satellite constellation operator Iridium on Friday evening, from Vandenberg Air Force Base--in a launch which turned heads across the Los Angeles area. SpaceX placed 10 Iridium satellites in the Iridium-4 mission, putting a "flight tested" Falcon 9 into space at 5:27 p.m. The trail from the Falcon 9 -- plus the separation of the fairing for the Iridium satellites -- was visible across the region, causing many phone calls about a "strange light in the sky" to the Los Angeles Fire Department, among others. The launch is the first "flight tested" Falcon 9 used by Iridium, which has a continuing roster of launches it has booked with SpaceX.