SpaceX rocket sends more satellites into space in dramatic dusk launch from Vandenberg

A Falcon 9 rocket made a dusk departure from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Thursday evening in a colorful, dramatic display that was accompanied by a strong and lengthy rumble.

The two-stage rocket manufactured by Space Exploration Technologies blasted off at 6:14 p.m. from Space Launch Complex-4 near Lompoc.

The rocket carried 53 Starlink satellites into orbit as SpaceX continues to develop a space-based constellation to provide internet access from remote areas of the globe, or those where the service isn’t reliable.

Compared to other missions, Thursday’s Falcon rocket flight hugged the coastline, appearing to fly over land.

Multiple residents in Southern California plus as far away as Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Texas reported seeing the Falcon rocket as it traveled into space.

Approximately 30 minutes after launch, SpaceX confirmed deployment of the 53 Starlink satellites.

The rocket’s first-stage booster also landed on the drone ship dubbed Of Course I Still Love You as it was positioned in the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles from Vandenberg.

Rocket launches near dawn and dusk have delivered some of the most picturesque views.

The Falcon 9 rocket was the first of two planned launches in five days from Vandenberg.

Early Tuesday morning, the West Coast’s final Atlas V rocket, built by United Launch Alliance, will carry a weather satellite into orbit from Space Launch Complex-3 on South Base.

Liftoff of the rocket is scheduled for 2:25 a.m. Tuesday to place the payloads into space.

Riding into space aboard the Atlas rocket will be the Joint Polar Satellite System-2, the next in a series of weather satellites for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Also hitching a ride will be NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID), a technology-demonstration mission.