SpaceX rocket launches are easily visible from Pismo Beach bluffs, benches, boardwalks, beaches, balconies, and of course the pier. Locals tune in to the live launch broadcast and gather at view points around town. Sometimes we walk toward the beach and stand in the street watching the southern horizon for that first glimmer of light as the rocket blasts off at Point Sal. The deep rumble that follows a minute or two later can be felt all along the coast. Then we all go back to what we were doing, and hope someone got good pictures and videos for Facebook.
The most recent launch, having been delayed six times already, blasted off on schedule today, Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at a approximately 12:48pm PST. Always worth the wait!, launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base do not disappoint!
Ongoing rocket launches are scheduled from Vandenberg. Check the launch schedule when you are next planning a trip to Pismo Beach. One good site for launch information nationwide is https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
The particulars for today’s launch are:
SpaceX launch scheduled from VAFB Vandenberg Air Force Base: May 22, 2018. 12:47:58 p.m. PDT
Falcon 9 • Iridium Next 51-55 & GRACE Follow-On
Launch time: 1947:58 GMT (3:47:58 p.m. EDT; 12:47:58 p.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched five satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet and two Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE Follow-On) satellites for NASA and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The Falcon 9 rocket launched with a previously-flown first stage. Successful today, it had been delayed from March 21, April 14, April 28, May 10, May 19 and May 21.
Dozens of iPhone images appear instantly on local facebook pages following a launch. Local photographer Vivian Krug Cotton posted this timelapse of a late 2017 launch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXjNUjGKOno
Vivian’s body of work can be viewed at https://www.a1000wordsphotography.com/
Vivian’s photographs our amazing beautiful scenic Central Coast are available for prints and mugs, etc. Take a look.
Come see this beautiful area for yourself. Hopefully, you will catch a launch! Make your reservations at https://gotopismo.com
UPDATE: The launch today was successful, as shown here on local TV. http://www.ksby.com/story/38250086/rocket-launched-from-vandenberg-afb-carries-communication-climate-satellites-into-space