Since we were staying close to Vandenberg Air Force Base, we decided to try to watch the rescheduled launch of SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. This launch, carrying ten next generation Iridium satellites, was critical to the future of SpaceX.
A number of people were parked just outside the base hoping to see the launch.
Right after the scheduled launch time, the rocket appeared rising behind a ridge between our location and the launch pad.
In the upper atmosphere the rocket started to produce a contrail.
This is a heavy crop since the rocket climbed quickly and headed downrange.
The distant rocket shrouded by its own contrail
The upper winds quickly twisted the originally straight contrail.
