SpaceX rocket launches continued their high visibility streak this June with a breathtaking twilight liftoff that mesmerized Californians across San Diego County and beyond. On Monday, June 16, 2025, a Falcon 9 rocket soared into the evening sky from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying 26 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit.
The latest mission, Starlink 15-9, marked the 200th orbital launch from Vandenberg’s historic Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) and further cemented SpaceX‘s dominance in modern satellite deployment.
Falcon 9 Soars in a Spectacular Sunset Display
Liftoff occurred precisely at 8:36 p.m. PDT (11:36 p.m. EDT), with the Falcon 9 rocket’s booster B1093 making its third flight. Within minutes, viewers across the Southern California sky were treated to a dazzling display of light as the booster streaked across the horizon.
From Escondido to Imperial Beach, San Diegans captured photos and videos of the rocket’s path. Eye-witnesses shared images from Coronado, Santee, Oceanside, and San Marcos, with the brilliant glow of the launch clearly visible miles away from the launchpad.
Successful Booster Recovery and Starlink Deployment
Just over eight minutes after liftoff, booster B1093 made a perfect landing on the SpaceX droneship “Of Course I Still Love You”, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This marked the 137th successful landing on this ship and the 463rd booster recovery overall — a remarkable milestone in the era of reusable rockets.
Shortly after midnight Eastern Time, SpaceX confirmed the successful deployment of all 26 Starlink V2 Mini satellites. These satellites are part of the next-generation constellation aiming to expand global internet access through low-latency broadband service.
A Legacy of Launches from Vandenberg
With this mission, SpaceX’s Starlink program continues to grow rapidly. Out of the 199 previous launches from SLC-4E, 131 used Falcon 9 rockets. The pad’s legacy stretches back to 1964, originally supporting Atlas-Agena and later Titan rockets until 2005.
SpaceX is currently in review to take over SLC-6, another historic pad at Vandenberg, which could further increase their capacity to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy missions from the West Coast.
More SpaceX Rocket Launches Scheduled for June
Californians still have opportunities to witness more SpaceX rocket launches this month:
Upcoming Launches from Vandenberg (June 2025)
- June 20 – SpaceX Transporter 14
Mission: Dedicated rideshare to deploy dozens of small satellites
Launch Time: 2:19 p.m. PT
Rocket: Falcon 9 | Booster return to launch site - TBA – NAOS Satellite Launch
Mission: Luxembourg’s National Advanced Optical System (NAOS)
Launch Time: To Be Announced
Rocket: Falcon 9 | Military reconnaissance satellite
As always, exact launch times are subject to change due to weather or technical factors. Enthusiasts can track updates through SpaceX’s official channels and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations plan advisory.
Why Californians Love SpaceX Rocket Launches
Rocket launches from Vandenberg have become a part of California’s modern space identity. With minimal light pollution and clear coastal skies, Southern California offers a front-row seat to the future of spaceflight. From schoolkids to seasoned astrophotographers, the public enthusiasm for these launches is palpable.
