SpaceX Rocket Launch May Be Visible in Arizona Skies This โWeek
PHOENIX – Arizona residents may beโ treated to a breathtaking sight โthis week as a SpaceX rocket launch โฃis possibly โขvisible in the night sky. The launch, scheduled for[Dateโ-[Date-[Dateโ-[Date-information not provided in sourceโ text, needs to be added], will send a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites into orbit and, depending on weather โฃconditions, could be seen across much of the โคstate.
This launch is part of SpaceX’s ongoing effortโฃ to expand its Starlink internet constellation, โคa project that has rapidly transformed accessโข to broadband,โฃ notably in rural and underserved areas. SpaceX has been consistentlyโฃ launching satellitesโ since 2019, andโข launches โremain a frequent occurrence from both Florida and California. The company also plays a critical role in space exploration and national security, โrecently supportingโ missions like Fram2 in April and the Polaris Dawn crewed mission in September 2024, and securing billions in contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense for launch services.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a constellation of over 7,000 satellites โproviding internet service globally. Unlike traditional satellite internet wich relies on a few satellites in geostationaryโ orbit (approximately 22,236 miles above Earth), Starlinkโฃ utilizes thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit, โขaround 341โข miles up. This lower orbit results in significantly reduced latency – the delay in data transmission – improving performance for activities like streaming, online gaming, โฃand video calls.
Residential Starlink plansโฃ currently start โat $80 per โmonth.
When and Where to Look
[SpecificโlaunchtimeandviewingdetailsforArizona-[SpecificlaunchtimeandviewingdetailsforArizona-[SpecificโlaunchtimeandviewingdetailsforArizona-[SpecificlaunchtimeandviewingdetailsforArizona-informationโค not provided in source โtext, needs to be added]. Generally, the โฃbest viewing opportunities occur shortly after sunset or before sunrise. Look towards the[Direction-[Direction-[Direction-[Direction-information not provided in source text, needs to โbe added]. The rocket’s first stage might potentially be visible as a radiant, moving point of light,โ potentially leaving a trail asโค it ascends.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the โฃUSA TODAY Network. Reach him โat elagatta@gannett.com