Southern California's Valentine's Day sky was illuminated by a SpaceX launch, captivating onlookers at Perris Auto Speedway. On February 14, 2026, the Falcon 9 rocket, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carried 24 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. This was the fourth SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg this month. The reusable, two-stage rocket's first stage will land on the 'Of Course I Still Love You' drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX's satellite internet provider, Starlink, has launched approximately 11,000 broadband satellites since 2019. The launch sparked curiosity among patrons at the races, who paused their Valentine's Day activities to witness the rocket's blazing path across the dusk sky. However, it also raised concerns among residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties, who may experience sonic booms during the launch, potentially impacting nearby endangered species.
