Photography by Ian L. Sitren

Posts tagged “rocket launch

SpaceX Launch: ZUMA Press Photo of the Month

I’m honored to have my photograph of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch included in ZUMA Press’s Pictures of the Month for February. This image captures the dramatic ascent of Falcon 9 as it carried 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

ZUMA Press is the world’s largest independent press agency and wire service. ZUMA’s top-of-the-class photographers have won every major award—from the prestigious Pulitzer to the World Press Awards, along with multiple Best of Photojournalism (BOP) and Pictures of the Year (POYi) awards. With over 12,000 new images posted daily, ZUMA’s state-of-the-art online archive has grown to an incredible 20 million images, making it the largest purely editorial library on the web.

I’m proud to be part of such a distinguished selection of images and invite you to explore the full gallery of this month’s stunning photographs. Check out the video of February’s featured images at https://thepicturesofthemonth.com

You can also view more of my work, from fast food to aviation and many more intriguing projects on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com Thanks!


Vapor Trail Falcon 9

The condensation cloud rising in the sky after a launch. When SpaceX’s rocket engines burn fuel—typically a mix of RP-1 (a refined kerosene) and liquid oxygen—the combustion produces water vapor (along with carbon dioxide). As this hot vapor exits the engine and meets the very cold, high-altitude air, it rapidly cools and condenses into tiny droplets or ice crystals, creating the white, wispy trail. This phenomenon is similar to the contrails seen behind high-flying aircraft.

Last night, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch was hidden by the mountains for me. However the remaining vapor trail rose slowly in the sky above them. The colors photographed nicely and made me happy I just stayed outside instead of just going back in the house.


Photographing SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Night Launch: 23 Starlink Satellites

Photographed last night… SpaceX launch of the Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This is the 23rd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-153, NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, Bandwagon-2, and 13 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.


SpaceX From My Backyard

The SpaceX launch on October 7th. Seen from my backyard. So very exciting!

SpaceX