SpaceX launch seen soaring across southern Utah

ST. GEORGE – Southern Utah residents caught quite a sight Monday when SpaceX launched 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.

Patrick Wiggins, Utah’s NASA ambassador, told KSL it was SpaceX lighting the night sky.

According to the comany’s website, the satellites were launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at approximately 7:09 p.m. Mountain Time.

Monday’s launch was the 23rd flight for the “first stage booster supporting this mission,” according to company officials.

Starlink satellites provide internet to customers by allowing them to request a satellite, then the satellite connects to a ground station sending data from the internet back to the satellite and then back to the user. This technology can prove especially useful to those in rural areas who have limited internet access.

Next time you see bright lights in the sky, check if it’s a Starlink satellite by viewing SpaceX’s satellite tracker.