SpaceX launches Spanish satellite, 2 others from California

[TexasTowelie]

An Earth-observation satellite built for Spain and two experimental satellites for internet service were successfully launched into orbit from California at dawn Thursday, creating a brief light show as it arced over the Pacific Ocean west of Los Angeles.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, reusing a first stage that had flown on a previous launch, lifted off at 6:17 a.m. from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Californians were hoping for a repeat of the spectacle that occurred during a Dec. 22 Falcon 9 launch during exceptionally clear twilight conditions, but this time the sky was much brighter, making the plume less brilliant.

The Falcon's first stage was used to launch a satellite for Taiwan last August and was recovered by landing it on a drone ship in the Pacific. This time there was no effort to recover the first stage and it fell into the sea.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/spacex-launches-spanish-satellite-california-53273849

[calikid]

1. I saw the launch trail and rocket from north of Sacramento.

At first I thought the rocket was a planet, then realized the "planet" was moving and had plumes behind it.
Thanks Towelie, I knew someone here would let us know about it.

[TexasTowelie]

2. You're welcome.

I posted about it being delayed on Sunday in the California Group.