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SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink Group 4-4 launch
Vandenberg SLC4E : December 18, 2021

Falcon 9 launch carrying 52 v1.5 Starlink satellites. View from an altitude of 6500'.

This was the 11th flight of B1051.

Launch time approximately 12:41:40 UTC. Image times approximate.

First time using this camera for a launch, and need to investigate some weird artifacts.

12:39:48Z (L-1:52)

12:40:44Z (L-0:56) 1/30s ISO 4000 horizontal flares on floodlights?

12:41:10Z (L-0:30) 1/320s ISO 1600 flares still present

12:41:40Z (L+0:00) 1/320s ISO 1600 Ignition, and no more flare from the lights?

12:41:41Z (L+0:01)

12:41:42Z (L+0:02)

12:41:43Z (L+0:03)

12:41:44Z (L+0:04)

12:41:44Z (L+0:04)

12:41:45Z (L+0:05)

12:41:46Z (L+0:06)

12:41:47Z (L+0:07) I suspect the unfortunate vertical glare is from the mechanical shutter

12:41:47Z (L+0:07)

12:41:49Z (L+0:09)

12:41:50Z (L+0:10)

12:41:51Z (L+0:11)

12:41:53Z (L+0:13)

12:41:55Z (L+0:15)

12:42:05Z (L+0:25)

12:42:08Z (L+0:28)

12:42:30Z (L+0:50)

12:42:49Z (L+1:09)

12:43:12Z (L+1:32)

12:43:50Z (L+2:10)

12:43:54Z (L+2:14)

12:44:04Z (L+2:24)

12:44:27Z (L+2:47) Second stage ignition

12:44:37Z (L+2:57) Fairing separation

12:48:36Z (L+6:56) Entry burn

LAX

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Oceanside

Moonset

Presumed rocket exhaust plumes over Carlsbad

San Diego Bay

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