New York: SpaceX is preparing to launch another batch of its Starlink satellites from California this week, and residents in parts of Arizona might be in for a special show. The Falcon 9 rocket, scheduled to lift off as early as Monday, June 16, could be visible across Arizona’s evening sky—weather permitting.
The launch is set to take place from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Although the Federal Aviation Administration has listed June 17 as the earliest official target date, multiple launch tracking sites suggest liftoff could occur at 5:51 p.m. PT (8:51 p.m. ET) on June 16. As always, backup windows are in place for later in the week in case of delays.
SpaceX will broadcast the launch live on its official website and social media platforms, with coverage starting about five minutes before liftoff. The Falcon 9 rocket will carry another group of Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low-Earth orbit, part of Elon Musk’s goal to expand global internet coverage. Some of these satellites include direct-to-cell capabilities to improve wireless communication in remote areas.
What makes this launch especially exciting is the potential visibility across Arizona. Because of the state’s proximity to the launch site and its wide-open skies, several locations may offer a clear view of the rocket’s ascent. Popular viewing spots include Dobbins Lookout in South Mountain, Papago Park in Phoenix, and areas with low light pollution such as Fountain Hills, Superstition Mountains, Estrella Mountain Regional Park, and San Tan Mountain Regional Park.
Once the rocket completes its mission, the reusable booster will attempt a landing on the SpaceX drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You,” positioned in the Pacific Ocean. This is part of SpaceX’s ongoing effort to reduce costs and increase launch frequency by reusing its hardware.
With over 7,000 Starlink satellites already in orbit, SpaceX continues to lead in space-based internet infrastructure. Starlink’s low-Earth orbit design allows for lower latency and faster speeds than traditional geostationary satellite internet, improving access for rural and underserved communities.