Photos: SpaceX launch lights up Southern California skies as rocket blasts into orbit and booster returns to base

california

Hawthorne-based SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, deploying an Argentine satellite and for the first time landing a booster rocket back at Vandenberg.

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

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  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks across the West Coast sky after a successful launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket deployed SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina, then returned its booster to earth, landing at Vandenberg for the first time. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News) Photo by Gene Blevins/LA DailyNews/ZUMAPRESS

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands safely Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California during a mission to deploy SAOCOM 1A, a radar observation satellite for Argentina. It was the boosters first-ever landing at Vandenberg. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • Thick fog surrounds a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base before the 7:22 p.m. launch of a satellite for Argentina. Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • Thick fog surrounds a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base before the 7:22 p.m. launch of a satellite for Argentina. Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • Fog surrounds a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base before the 7:22 p.m. launch of a satellite for Argentina. Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket emerges from the fog Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base before the 7:22 p.m. launch of a satellite for Argentina. Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • The landing pad is ready Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, for the return of a SpaceX rocket stage after launch of a satellite for Argentina. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • The landing pad is ready Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, for the return of a SpaceX rocket stage after launch of a satellite for Argentina. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is ready to launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is ready to launch Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at Vandenberg Air Force Base. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

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