With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
What's that flying over Los Angeles? A SpaceX rocket
The object spotted in the skies above Los Angeles on the evening of Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 — a SpaceX rocket launch.
(
Jacob Margolis/KPCC
)
Late Friday afternoon ahead of a holiday weekend, social media lit up with posts about a mysterious object flying through the skies above Los Angeles. Was it a UFO? A chemtrail? Superman? Nope — it's the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Iridium-4.
Vandenberg Air Force Base confirmed that the massive glowing cloud and floating orbs over L.A. was the SpaceX rocket, launched at 5:27 p.m.
So what makes it look like that? Astronomer Jonathan McDowell offered this explanation:
Sponsored message
It's the fourth set of 10 satellites in a series of 75 total that SpaceX is launching as part of Iridium NEXT, according to the organization. These satellites are replacing an existing network of low-Earth orbit commercial satellites.
Video of SpaceX flying overhead
They also reused the first stage for this launch from the Iridium-2 mission, though they noted that they don't plan to recover the first stage from this launch.
Watch the full launch video here:
This story has been updated.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
