A Surprise Launch from Vandenberg
Last night, while photographing another SpaceX launch out of Vandenberg Space Force Base, I zoomed in closer than usual. To my surprise, what I captured wasn’t a satellite at all — it was a blueberry popsicle achieving orbit.
Over the years I’ve photographed many launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base — Falcon 9s carrying Starlink satellites and other missions lighting up the California coast. Those photographs have become some of my most widely licensed images. But this was the first time I’d seen a frozen dessert slip into low Earth orbit.
Doing some checking, I discovered today is National Blueberry Popsicle Day. The popsicle itself has an orbit of its own in history — first invented in 1905 by 11-year-old Frank Epperson in Oakland, California, after he accidentally left a mixture of powdered soda and water out to freeze overnight with a wooden stick in it. From a backyard accident to a household name, and now apparently to space — a fitting trajectory.
Thank you to my friend Bob Lilac for this launch alert.
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
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 Launch
SpaceX 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. Seen here with booster rockets falling away. The view from Palm Springs.
The Launch Through The Palms
I forgot I shot another series of the SpaceX Starlink satellite launch from Sunday evening. 06-23-2023 Palm Springs California
Starlink Launch
Approximately 45 minutes ago, a SpaceX launch of 20 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base. 06-23-2024 Palm Springs California
SpaceX Launch On ZUMA
Very fun to have one of my photos of the SpaceX launch last night featured on the front page of ZUMA Press. ZUMA Press is the largest independent press agency and wire service in the world. I have been with ZUMA for approximately 16 years. Thanks ZUMA! 04-07-2024
SpaceX Launch Video
SpaceX Launch
SpaceX Launch
SecondFocus Blog 