SpaceX Falcon Rocket Lifts Off from Vandenberg SFB to Deliver Satellites | Local News

Just in time for Christmas, a Falcon 9 rocket delivered a pair of reconnaissance satellites into orbit for Germany’s military after lifting off early Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The Christmas Eve departure of the SpaceX rocket, which stands roughly as tall as a 20-story building, occurred at 5:11 a.m. from Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base. 

Less than eight minutes later, the rocket’s first-stage booster returned to Vandenberg, touching down just west of the launch pad. Sunday’s mission marked the eighth flight for the first-stage booster. 

Those awake for the liftoff were rewarded with mostly clear skies to follow the rocket as it climbed away from the Central Coast and the first-stage booster returned.

Later, the contrail left behind by the rocket combined with winds, and the rising sun created a colorful sight in the sky.

SpaceX confirmed deployment of the satellites, SARah-2 and SARah-3, took place less than 30 minutes after liftoff.

The two synthetic aperture radar satellites aboard the rocket make up a three-spacecraft constellation that will fly in formation to collect reconnaissance information for the German Federal Armed Forces. 

Radar satellites such as the SARah series and its predecessor can observe the Earth’s surface regardless of the time of day or weather conditions.

SARah-2 and SARah-3 joined SARah-1, which also launched aboard a Falcon rocket from Vandenberg — in June 2022. 

Together they represent the next generation, replacing a five-satellite constellation and boasting significantly enhanced capabilities and system performance.

OHB System AG of Bremen, Germany, built the new satellites, which feature reflector technology, while Airbus manufactured SARah-1, sporting the phased array technology. 

“By combining the different types of satellites, the advantages of the individual technologies can be utilized for the overall system,” OHB System said.

In October, the firm said, the German military had started using SARah-1 data for their military reconnaissance activities.

This was the 94th launch of the year for SpaceX, according to the firm. 

But they’re not done yet, with missions planned from both California and Florida before the end of the year.

The West Coast manifest includes a Starlink mission that had been delayed from earlier this month.

That rocket now will aim for liftoff at 7:17 p.m. Dec. 30, with backup opportunities available through 11:16 p.m.

SpaceX said that if the launch doesn’t occur that day, additional opportunities will be available on Jan. 2 starting at 6:13 p.m.